Dwayne Bravo (l) and Perth Scorchers fan James Keating, AKA ‘Choombies’.
Camera IconDwayne Bravo (l) and Perth Scorchers fan James Keating, AKA ‘Choombies’. Credit: Supplied/Greig Johnston

Scorchers dumped out of BBL, ‘Choombies’ booted from Perth Stadium

Staff Writer, with AAPSouthern Gazette

IT was a dark night for the Perth Scorchers men at Optus Stadium on Thursday, an upset 71-run to the Hobart Hurricanes ending their Big Bash League campaign.

Hours after the Scorchers’ women had smashed the Sydney Thunder to book a spot in the WBBL final, the men put in a limp showing against Hobart to bow out.

And it was a worse night for their supporter ‘Choombies’, who was kicked out of the venue barely an hour into the Hurricanes’ innings.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

That follows his removal from the WACA ground last month for swearing at players, and there are reports he has been slapped with a three-year ban by cricket Australia.

At 5.50pm ‘Choombies’ was spoken to by stadium security and police were called to deal with the matter.

‘Choombies’ was arrested by police and charged with behaving in a disorderly manner and failing to comply with a request to give personal details.

Before his removal, Choombies was one of 52,960 fans who packed Optus Stadium – but most of them left disappointed.

Matthew Wade and Ben McDermottcracked blistering half-centuries to help power the Hobart Hurricanes to a crushing win.

Wade struck 71 off 45 balls and McDermott added an unbeaten 67 off 30 to lift Hobart to 4-210 – the equal-third highest score in BBL history.

In reply, the Scorchers were bowled out for 139 in 17.5 overs, ending their title defence in front of 52,960 disappointed fans.

The win propelled the Hurricanes into an away final on Sunday – against the winner of Friday’s second semi-final between the Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Renegades.

Scorchers skipper Adam Voges announced his retirement from the BBL after the match.

“It’s a disappointing way to end, but I’ve had so many good memories,” Voges said.

“It would have been nice to finish on a better note, but you don’t always get to write your own script.

“To be able to play in three premiership-winning teams, and to make finals every year is a terrific effort in itself.

“We probably need a couple of different things for our list.

“I know most of our squad is already contracted for next year. But I think there’s one or two spots that we can strengthen our squad in, and me opening up a spot will allow Justin Langer and the team to do that.”

The Scorchers women, meanwhile, were in cracking form, thrashing the Sydney Thunder by 27 runs.

Chasing 149 for victory, the Thunder crashed to 5-46 in the 11th over before limping to 8-121 from their 20 overs.

Spinner Emma King (3-17 from four overs) starred with the ball to help bury the Thunder.

The Scorchers will now play either the Sydney Sixers or Adelaide Strikers in Sunday’s final.