The Perth Scorchers have finished on top of the Big Bash League table the past two seasons in a row. They will be looking to extend that streak to three in BBL08 which gets underway December 19th. We take a look at the Scorchers in our full team preview below.
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BBL08 Team Previews
Perth Scorchers
Last Season: 1st
In: Matthew Kelly
Out: Mitch Johnson, Adam Voges
Current Squad (18): Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kelly, Michael Klinger, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Joel Paris, Usman Qadir, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Sam Whiteman, David Willey
The Perth Scorchers have been without a doubt the most successful team in BBL history. They are the only team to win multiple titles, having racked up three overall and are aso the only team to make the top four in all seven years so far.
Perth were dominant throughout the regular season last year, finishing the year with a 8-2 record through ten games. Their batting line-up is regularly decimated by international duty but it’s a testament to their depth that they still can trot out a match winning line-up on any given night.
David Willey will fill one of the international player spots once again this season and he’ll be joined by Pakistani spinner Usman Qadir who has impressed for Lahore in the Pakistan T20 competition.
The Scorchers will lose stalwart Adam Voges from the top order this season due to retirement but still have plenty of depth to cover. Cameron Bancroft will return to the side after his suspension is complete in mid-December and should join Michael Klinger at the top of the order.
The Scorchers have a strong contingent of all-rounders that will make up the bulk of the middle order. Hilton Cartwright, Ashton Turner and Ashton Agar both offer plenty with bat and ball while Mitch Marsh should be available for the majority of the season after falling out of favour with Test selectors.
Shaun Marsh, however, looks likely to be the only player on the Scorchers list that will be effected by international duty.
One of the keys to the Scorchers success over their years has been their fast bowling stocks, particularly when playing at home on the bouncy Perth pitch. Andrew Tye led the way last season with 16 wickets in just six games. Jhye Richardson, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Coulter-Nile, David Willey, Joel Paris and new recruit Joel Paris make up the rest of the dominant pace attack.
Usman Qadir should get plenty of run as the team’s frontline spinner but the Scorchers also have Ashton Turner and Ashton Agar to call upon to bowl spin overs if needed, as well as part time seamers in Marsh and Cartwright.
1. Michael Klinger
2. Cameron Bancroft
3. Hilton Cartwright
4. Mitch Marsh
5. Ashton Turner
6. Sam Whiteman
7. Ashton Agar
8. David Willey
9. Andrew Tye
10. Nathan Coulter-Nile
11. Usman Qadir
The Scorchers have almost an embarrassment of riches in the fast bowling department. Six of their lasted fast bowlers have played international cricket before as well as a few more seam bowling all-rounders with Australian caps. Their batting could use a little bit of a sure up at the top of the order, Shaun Marsh could provide that after the Test series, but regardless, they will be extremely tough to beat at home. We think the Scorchers finish on top this season.
