Scorchers to make up for batting flop

Jan 17, 2016 - 2:19 AM Perth Scorchers captain Adam Voges is adamant his team's quest for a hat-trick of BBL titles remains on track despite their batting capitulation on Saturday night.

The Scorchers blew the chance to host a semi-final when they suffered an embarrassing 52-run loss to the Melbourne Stars at the WACA Ground.

Needing just 147 for victory, the Scorchers were bowled out for 94 in 10 overs in front of 20,870 shellshocked fans.

Had the Scorchers reached 109, they would have hosted a semi-final.

Instead, they'll have to travel to the MCG to face the Melbourne Stars in Friday night's semi-final.

A crowd of around 80,000 die-hard Stars fans are expected for the blockbuster semi-final, but Voges is confident his team will be able to rise to the occasion.

"We've got to do it the hard way now," Voges said.

"We'll have to go to Melbourne, and then probably Adelaide (if we are to win the title).

"It's still in our hands. We've still finished third and we're in a semi-final, so it's certainly not all doom and gloom.

"We'll hopefully shake this off pretty quickly and get ready for Friday."

In the other semi-final on Thursday night, the Adelaide Strikers will host either the Sydney Thunder, or the Melbourne Renegades.

The Renegades need to post a big win over the Strikers on Monday night if they are to pip the Thunder for fourth spot.

Star Scorchers paceman Jason Behrendorff, who missed the loss to the Stars with a back injury, is set to join the team in its flight to Melbourne on Wednesday.

But the left-arm speedster is no certainty to play.

The Scorchers opted for extra bowling power against the Stars, but the move proved costly as the team's batting line-up crumbled.

Opener Marcus Harris is a strong chance to return against the Stars in place of paceman Jhye Richardson.

The move would mean all-rounders Ashton Agar and Ashton Turner would be required to bowl more overs.

Stars captain David Hussey said his team were thrilled to earn hosting rights for the semi-final.

But he knows the Scorchers will be gunning for revenge.

"We're always wary," Hussey said.

"They're a pretty classy team. And with Vogesy as their captain, they're a pretty tight run ship.

"We have to play at our best."

Voges was the sole Scorchers batsman who could withstand the Stars' onslaught on Saturday night.

The 36-year-old scored an unbeaten 46, but he simply ran out of partners.

Source: AAP