PERTH SCORCHERS
LAST SEASON: CHAMPIONS (5 wins, 3 losses)
PREDICTION: 5th
In: David Willey (England)
Out: Yasir Arafat (Pakistan)
Retained: Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Michael Klinger, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Simon Mackin, James Muirhead, Joel Paris, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Adam Voges, Sam Whiteman, Brad Hogg
THE BRIEF
Back to Back champions and yet i have them missing the semi finals. I can hear you asking .. “Roger, have you been drinking?”
Yes, but that’s irrelevant.
Perth have been blessed by having their talent rarely touched by national selectors but this season is set to be a different story. And that is the byproduct of success.
There is still quality there but instead of missing the odd player here and there, i would envisage them missing four or so at a time.
They do have the master coach in Justin Langer though, so anything is possible.
THE FAB FIVE
*The Marsh brothers have been left of the FAB FIVE list as i don’t expect them to play enough, if any, games for Perth this season to have a major impact.
DAVID WILLEY (all rounder)
The son of former England test player and international umpire Peter Willey, David is a talented all rounder who has flourished at domestic level without being able to make the ultimate step up in class for his country.
Averaging a little over 22 with the bat at a strike rate of over 130, Willey can provide some crucial late over runs but it’s with the ball where he is more likely to make his mark.
Striking every 15 balls at an average of under 20, Willey is a weapon with the white ball. His economy rate of 7.56 per over is acceptable but if he can bring it down while still proving dangerous, the Scorchers will have discovered another one.
ADAM VOGES (batsman)
Will likely find himself available for the latter part of the Big Bash once his test commitments are complete and will be a handy inclusion for this side who are likely to be significantly weakened in the early part of the competition. The captain of this squad and arguably its most important player given his leadership and batting strength. No doubt all in the west are happy Voges finally got his chance at international level but they will also be happy to see him return to the furnace.
MICHAEL KLINGER (batsman)
A danger man in any form of the game. So long regarded as more a long form player, Klinger has shown himself in recent years to among the best batsmen in the word in domestic Twenty 20. Was prolific last season and even more so in England over the winter scoring hundred after hundred in every form of the game for Gloucestershire. If his runs continues, only marginal support from others should see Perth remain a BBL powerhouse.
BRAD HOGG (spin bowler)
Will most likely complete a victory lap with a walking frame when the Scorchers win BBL44 and Hogg, at age 83 by that point, has just taken 5-for to steer them to the title. Returning for yet another season and why not, given he remains one of the leagues greatest weapon and arguably it’s best spinner. Many could comfortably argue a case that Hogg should still be the number one spinner in the national Twenty 20 side.
NATHAN COULTER-NILE (bowler)
Picked in the test squad despite no first class cricket, there is no doubt how highly Nathan Coulter-Nile is rated by national selectors. Even better in the short game than he is in the long, NCN is a proven wicket taker but also at times quite expensive. He is more than capable with the bat and, should he not be with the national squad, will be an important part of the Perth attack.
