BBL: Melbourne Stars reach their first BBL final after beating Perth Scorchers

A @ScorchersBBL-like bowling performance by @StarsBBL lays the platform for their #BBLSemis win. Nerveless innings from @KP24. Pure class.
— Jesse Hogan (@Jesse_Hogan) January 22, 2016

We fell well short tonight, but can't help but feel last Saturday's loss was ultimately costly #BBLSemis
— Perth Scorchers (@ScorchersBBL) January 22, 2016

It will be the battle of the two brothers in the final of the BBL as David Hussey's Melbourne Stars take on Mike Hussey's Sydney Thunder.

Stars get there in the end thanks to Kevin Pietersen's 62. Scorchers' streak of successive finals ends at 4.

DROPPED! Handscomb goes down the ground and Agar dumps it into the @MCG turf. 6 runs from 14 balls required... #GoStars #BBLSemis
— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) January 22, 2016

14 runs off the Paris over. Stars need 10 off 18 balls for victory & to host the BIG Final #MADETOUGH #BBLSemis
— Perth Scorchers (@ScorchersBBL) January 22, 2016

A KP special being served up at the MCG! #BBLSemis
— AlisonMitchell (@AlisonMitchell) January 22, 2016

OUT! KP's brilliant innings comes to an end on 62, bowled through his legs trying something quite different! Stars need 12 off 19 #BBLSemis
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 22, 2016

Half-century up for @KP24 off 31 balls. Pulling out a top class knock when it matters the most. #GoStars #BBLSemis pic.twitter.com/quKJJxM4am
— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) January 22, 2016

Official crowd for tonight's Big Semi Final at the @MCG = 30,174. Thanks to all our #TeamGreen fans for your support! #BBLSemis
— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) January 22, 2016

Big six straight down the ground off Willey's last ball. KP smashed that! @StarsBBL 2-110 after 15 #MADETOUGH #BBLSemis
— Perth Scorchers (@ScorchersBBL) January 22, 2016

100 runs up for @StarsBBL with brilliant shot by KP for four in the 15th over #MADETOUGH #BBLSemis
— Perth Scorchers (@ScorchersBBL) January 22, 2016

.@StarsBBL 2-97 after 14, Willey to bowl his final over now #MADETOUGH #BBLSemis
— Perth Scorchers (@ScorchersBBL) January 22, 2016

KP has faced 23 balls and scored 34 runs, but what has been even more impressive is the fact that he has just faced three dot balls. Stars now need 46 from 39 balls.

Stars look set to make history and reach the final for the first time. Scorchers need to get KP out quickly and now they cannot call on their premier fast bowler, Behrendorff as he just finished his four overs for 28 runs.

Benhrendorff's final over. One to go for Hogg. Scorchers can't leave anything in the shed; right time to go. #BBL05 #BBLSemis
— Jesse Hogan (@Jesse_Hogan) January 22, 2016

End of the 12th and @StarsBBL are 2-85. Pietersen still in on 28*, Handscomb 2* #MADETOUGH #BBLSemis
— Perth Scorchers (@ScorchersBBL) January 22, 2016

Stoin Out. Hogg nabs him deep in the crease LBW for 44 from 41 balls. Pistol Handscomb joins KP, 27*, in the middle. Crowd hushed #BBLSemis
— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) January 22, 2016

WICKET! Hogg traps Stoinis lbw. Stars 82/2 in 11.3 overs

50 run partnership up between @KP24 and @MStoinis off 27 balls. We need 77 from 69 to qualify... #GoStars #BBLSemis
— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) January 22, 2016

Reverse sweep from KP bounces just short of Andrew Tye and is just a single.

Seven overs gone, @StarsBBL 1-54. HOGGY into the attack #MADETOUGH #BBLSemis
— Perth Scorchers (@ScorchersBBL) January 22, 2016

Brad Hogg into the attack. What can the wily chinaman do? Stars are 54/1 after 7

Nice way to end the power play Stoin: 4, 4...and 4! We're 1-46, needing 94 from 84 balls to win #GoStars #BBLSemis
— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) January 22, 2016

Three consecutive fours by Marcus Stoinis ends the power play for the Stars, who are back on top. 46/1

Three boundaries off a Behrendorff over in a powerplay = as rare as hen's teeth. #nansayings #BBL05 #BBLSemis
— Jesse Hogan (@Jesse_Hogan) January 22, 2016

16 off that last over and Stars are finally up and running. Kevin Pietersen leading the charge. Stars 31/1 in 5 overs.

Four overs down, @StarsBBL 1-15. Pietersen the man in for Wright. Dorff is back #MADETOUGH #BBLSemis
— Perth Scorchers (@ScorchersBBL) January 22, 2016

Wonderful start by the Scorchers who have restricted the Stars to 15/1 after 4 overs.

OUT! Tight start from the Scorchers bowlers and Wright picks out Voges at cover. Gone for 7. Stars 1-13 (3.5) #BBLSemis
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 22, 2016

Wright out. Gets one to the boundary, but is caught in the infield two balls later and departs for 7. We're 1-13 chasing 140 #BBLSemis
— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) January 22, 2016

WICKET! Wonderful diving catch by Adam Voges is the end of Luke Wright. Stars 13/1 in 3.5 overs

Serene start from the Stars. 8/0 from 3 overs.

Five runs from the first two overs, both Wrighty and Stoin not out 2. Going to be a tense run chase Stars fans...135 to go #BBLSemis
— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) January 22, 2016

First over done, @StarsBBL are 0-2. Willey into the attack #MADETOUGH #BBLSemis
— Perth Scorchers (@ScorchersBBL) January 22, 2016

Stars get off the mark with a streaky single that was almost a wicket. Jason Behrendorff on target from the first ball.

We're taking the field, Dorff to bowl the first over. Wright and Stoinis to open the batting for @StarsBBL #MADETOUGH #BBLSemis
— Perth Scorchers (@ScorchersBBL) January 22, 2016

Stars need 140 to reach their first BBL final. Can the defending champions restrict them or will Stars make history? Join us in a bit to find out.

Worrall is a bit handy, no call up? #BBL05 #BBLSemis @StarsBBL
— Richard II (@RichardMasonPlc) January 22, 2016

Wonderful bowling by Daniel Worrall, who finishes with figures of 4-0-25-3

Free-hit costs just one run as Scorchers finish on 139/7

No Ball AND free hit!! Yeow #MADETOUGH #BBLSemis
— Matt Miller (@mirrormatt86) January 22, 2016

GONE!! Tye is clean bowled by Worrall who is on fire tonight! He's gone for 0. We're 7-135 after 19.4. In comes Joely #MADETOUGH #BBLSemis
— Perth Scorchers (@ScorchersBBL) January 22, 2016

WICKET! Another brilliant yorker results in a wicket. Andrew Tye has no answer. Scorchers 135/7 with 2 balls remaining.

SIX! Cameron Bancroft hits a ball high into the air, it was almost a wicket but Rob Quiney catches the ball but steps on and over the rope to give a much-needed six for the Scorchers.

Switch over to @BBL n enjoy cricket at its best. Fitness, mental toughness and high skill level. Domestic structure at its best.
— Azhar Mahmood (@AzharMahmood11) January 22, 2016

GONE!! Agar is clean bowled by Hilfenhaus for 6. We're 6-125 after 18.5. Tye to the crease #MADETOUGH #BBLSemis
— Perth Scorchers (@ScorchersBBL) January 22, 2016

WICKET! Hilfenhaus with a brilliant yorker that cannons into the leg stump. Agar tries to walk across his stumps and flick it away but misses the ball.

Two overs to go, we're 5-120! Can we make 150 with only 14 balls left?! #MADETOUGH #BBLSemis
— Perth Scorchers (@ScorchersBBL) January 22, 2016

Almost another wicket as Ashton Agar smashes one through the off-side, where David Hussey almost pulls off a blinder. But he doesn't and the Scorchers run 2. Scorchers 120/5 in 18