Peake’s Last-Ball Heroics Sink Perth Scorchers in BBL Thriller
Teenage Sensation Delivers in High-Stakes Encounter
The Big Bash League delivered another unforgettable moment at Perth Stadium on 7 January 2026, when 19-year-old Oliver Peake displayed nerves of steel to crunch a last-ball six, launching Melbourne Renegades to a nail-biting four-wicket win over Perth Scorchers. This thrilling encounter showcased the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket and highlighted the emerging talent in Australian cricket.
Match Overview and Key Moments
After knocking Scorchers over for 127 from 19.2 overs at Perth Stadium, Renegades almost made a meal of the modest chase before Peake came to their rescue. The home side’s innings struggled throughout, with Aaron Hardie top-scoring with 44, while Gurinder Sandhu claimed 4-28 for the visitors.
The Renegades’ chase appeared comfortable early on, but they were restricted to 23 for 4 from eight overs after starting strongly at 51 for 1. The match came down to a dramatic finale requiring four runs from the final delivery. Peake shimmied across in pre-meditated fashion and paddled Aaron Hardie’s full delivery over fine leg deep into the stands.
Controversy and Drama
The young star’s innings wasn’t without controversy. Peake was given out for 15 with a soft signal after Ashton Turner snared a difficult tumbling catch, but was reprieved after replays showed the ball touched the ground while in Turner’s hand. This decision drew boos from the parochial Perth crowd, but Peake remained focused to finish unbeaten on 42.
Significance for Both Teams
This victory marked an important milestone for the Renegades in their BBL campaign. The defeat was particularly painful for the Scorchers, who had defended a similarly modest total just days earlier. Perth wobbled early and crashed hard late, losing their last five wickets for just 16 from 17 deliveries, a collapse that ultimately proved fatal. For Peake, who headed straight to the airport after the match to captain Australia at the Under-19 World Cup, it was the perfect send-off and a moment that will be remembered as one of the BBL’s most dramatic finishes.