Scorchers beat Stars in Big Bash opener

Australia all-rounder Cooper Connolly smashed 64 off 51 balls as Perth Scorchers beat Melbourne Stars by six wickets in the opening game of the 2024-25 Big Bash League.

Chasing 147 to win, Scorchers were struggling at 37-3 but Connolly hit four fours and three sixes to swing the game in their favour.

He was dismissed with 42 required but Ashton Turner (37*) and Nick Hobson (27*) sealed the win with 17 balls to spare.

Stars posted 146-9 with Tom Curran hitting 37 off 19 balls and Marcus Stoinis 37 off 33.

Notts' Joe Clarke, who is deputising for Ben Duckett for the opening two games, made a nine-ball duck.

Curran took 1-25 in Scorchers' chase, while Lancashire's Keaton Jennings and Matty Hurst both scored just four for the five-time winners.