Beware the walking wounded.
The Perth Scorchers are through to an incredible eighth Big Bash League final, despite injuries and drama plaguing the squad all tournament.
Critics were quick to write off the Perth Scorchers on the back of season-ending injuries to star Mitch Marsh and import Phil Salt and the drugs ban to Laurie Evans before their campaign began.
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MATCH CENTRE: Scorchers vs Sixers teams, scorecard, videos, updates
Add in the exits of Colin Munro, Tymal Mills, David Moody and Kurtis Patterson from last year’s title-winning squad, and there were serious doubts over where Perth’s power would come in BBL12.
Plus there’s the fact Scorchers star Jhye Richardson – who took 4-9 in his first game back from injury, and 15 wickets in seven matches – hasn’t played since January 4 and is almost certain to be ruled out of Saturday’s final.
Richardson, Kelly ruled out of qualifier | 02:26
But Perth has continued to find a way to win, with the competition’s most successful team in BBL history finishing top of the table for a record fifth time and now straight through to the BBL12 final.
How the squad has managed to be so successful once again has rivals stumped, but determined to emulate the winning formula.
“I think as a team we’re really good at dealing with adversity,” Scorchers star Aaron Hardie said.
“At the start of the tournament a lot of people said we were undermanned. But a lot of people have stepped up.”
Sixers assistant coach Cam White applauded the “finetuned Perth outfit” earlier this season, while rival captains have praised the side’s ability to remain so successful.
“To be honest, once Laurie Evans and Mitch Marsh goes out and I’m thinking ‘Geez, you’re not the same team as what I was expecting – I was thinking you’d almost be unbeatable’,” White said.
“But once the program is there and especially at home, they are a very hard team to beat.”
“Fantastic Innings!” Hardie hits 90 | 01:03
“It is every year (their dominance),” Renegades captain Aaron Finch added.
“The team that’s on top of the table and dominates most games, they tend to have the most well-rounded sides. Perth have definitely been that for the last 10 years.”
Brisbane’s stand-in skipper Jimmy Peirson even labelled the Scorchers the “benchmark”.
“I think in my entire career I’ve won once in Perth so it’s a tough trip to come over and beat them at home,” he said.
“They are a very good side. They are well-drilled, they are the team to beat.
“Cam Bancroft hasn’t played much this year and he’s come in and done a match winning performance. They’ve got guys coming in and doing the job.”
Remarkably, the Perth Scorchers spent the least of any team in the newly implemented BBL Draft building a successful list, and even passed up their first-round marquee selection to instead back in their talent.
Scorchers captain Ashton Turner described the draft as “almost a waste of time” for Perth.
Heat v Scorchers: Match Highlights | 03:50
“In an ideal world we have the same playing 11 for the home and away season and hopefully two finals. In reality we know no team in the history of the Big Bash has been able to do that. That’s why we put a lot of thought into building our squad and in part this year getting some replacement players who we know are going to come in and play,” he said.
“It’s something we planned for. It’s part of the modern game
“It’s difficult to get quality overseas players for the whole duration of the competition. The draft that we had a few months ago was almost a waste of time – we don’t have any of those guys here unfortunately for various reasons.
“It’s more challenges that we face but more opportunity for some other guys.”
And it’s been the opportunities given to the likes of Matt Kelly, Cam Bancroft, Aaron Hardie and Nick Hobson that have lifted Perth to the final after victory over the Sydney Sixers on Saturday night.
Perth coach Adam Voges said the team’s success had even exceeded his expectations.
“I think proud’s a really good word. You lose your three international players you pick up in the draft, you lose Mitch Marsh on the eve of the tournament and to be honest going in, probably wasn’t entirely sure how we’d go,” he said.
Strikers v Scorchers: Match Highlights | 03:49
“We’ve had guys step up, guys contribute in different games, we’ve seen the emergence of Aaron Hardie, we’ve seen Cam Bancroft and what he’s done.
“We’ve always prided ourselves on our depth in this squad and we’ve certainly had to utilize it.
“The guys have found a way which is fantastic.”
Hardie’s ability to step into Marsh’s big shoes at three and Bancroft’s incredible form as opener have been key to Perth’s success with the bat this tournament, while Turner continues to put together matchwinning innings.
But it’s the tried and trusted bowling unit that put the Scorchers back at the top of the table.
Recruit Faf du Plessis, who was overlooked by all teams in the draft but then signed by the Scorchers as a replacement for the injured Phil Salt, described Perth’s strength as “incredible”.
“It’s been nice to see on the inside why it’s so successful,” he said.
“I’ve really enjoyed just being a fly on the wall and still learning.
“What you’re looking for in a bowling unit is variety. Everything you’re looking for in a bowling attack the Scorchers have and that’s why they’re so successful.
Hardie’s hands strike first in BBL QF | 00:30
“Even the guys on the bench, there’s so much bench strength.
“There were a few big injuries in terms of names you would think would leave big holes in the squad but there’s so much resources on the bench.
“That’s a credit to a very successful team that’s building behind the scenes and making sure they’ve got all the angles covered.”
Perth will play the winner of Sydney Sixers vs Brisbane Heat/Melbourne Renegades in next Saturday’s Big Bash League final.
