Write the reigning champions off at your own peril – that’s the message from Perth Scorchers general manager Kade Harvey.
The most successful team in Big Bash League history was endured a pre-season from hell heading into BBL12.
From import Laurie Evans’ positive dope test and subsequent dismissal to star Mitch Marsh’s season-ending injury, not a lot has gone right for the proud Perth club.
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But they still boast a devastating attack in Jason Behrendorff, Jhye Richardson, AJ Tye and Ashton Turner, along with import Tymal Mills, Peter Hatzoglou and Matt Kelly – while Australian Test call up Lance Morris is also expected to be unleashed during the tournament.
The team’s issue will come with the bat, as just two of their top six batters from the 2022 final will play for Perth this season.
The Scorchers woes started back in August when the BBL established its first-ever draft – leading Perth’s star import Liam Livingstone to create history as the first player ever picked.
He was snapped up by the struggling Melbourne Renegades before Perth had a chance to retain their star opener.
Joe Clarke was taken by the Melbourne Stars while Colin Munro headed to the Brisbane Heat before the Scorchers got to their first pick – which they used on Evans, before taking Phil Salt and Mills.
Less than three months later, two of their three imports are gone with Evans’ contract terminated – as he begins his fight to clear his name – and Salt ruled out through injury.
But Harvey is confident that despite the off-season turmoil Perth has a team to contend this season.
“I think we’ve got a number of different options that (coach Voges) Adam’s got up his sleeve with (captain) Ashton Turner to get the balance of the team right that we feel like on any given day can win a match of T20 cricket,” he said.
“I’m really confident in the depth of the squad.
Scorchers pick up Faf Du Plessis | 00:26
“If you said at the start of the year that we’d be replacing three of our top four batters before the tournament … historically we thought that might be the case with our bowing group just coming off Shield cricket and the volume of work. That’s why we’ve brought Tymal Mills into the group last year and this year because you’re always nervous around Australian selection.
“The fact it was three batters in November and December was probably a little bit unusual.”
Harvey says the fact the Scorchers were locked out of WA last season, due to the Covid restrictions, and forced to adapt away from home would help the club deal with this latest turmoil.
“We’ve got a group that’s got strong belief from last year,” he said.
“We managed the challenges of not playing at home and being away from home. I was really proud of our whole group.
“If we can get through that, I’m pretty confident that we can get through whatever this year has to throw at us and have another successful summer again.”
Aaron Hardie, the man expected to step up in Marsh’s absence, was full of praise for Perth’s bowling depth.
“I think it’s hard to put a finger on one reason why we’ve been so successful – one of them is that blokes step up at the right time,” he said.
“I think our bowlers, AJ Tye, Jason Behrendorff, Jhye Richardson are some of the best white ball bowlers in the world.”
The Scorchers are the most successful BBL franchise, with seven grand final appearances and a record four titles.
THE IMPORT TO STEAL THE SHOW
South African Faf de Plessis will come into the side for the first seven games as Evans’ replacement, despite missing out on selection in the Draft.
English duo Adam Lyth and Stephen Eskinazi will also be in orange this summer as replacement players to finalise the Perth squad.
“I’ve got no doubt (Faf’s) a proud, strong, professional cricketer and we’ve certainly spoken to Faf’s management in years gone by to bring him into the Scorchers because he fits our mould really well,” Harvey explained.
“We’ve had conversations that haven’t ended up based on his international commitments.
“It certainly wasn’t a slight on Faf to not take him in the draft – him and Liv (Livingstone) were the two guys that really appealed to us … we just thought with what Laurie had done with us in the past and his full availability that was the sole reason (he was selected instead).”
Harvey said he was “really pleased” the club was able to lure du Plessis west – even if it’s just until the start of January.
Stars turn to Adam Zampa for leader role | 00:43
“We think he’ll bring a lot on and off the field,” he said.
“I’m sure he’ll want to do well regardless of how he came into the team.”
The 38-year-old becomes the third big name international player to join the BBL12 campaign despite being overlooked in the draft.
He’s been in great T20 form in 2022, averaging 31.2 in the IPL and 41.5 in the Caribbean Premier League.
Eskinazi is expected to be available for the entire tournament duration while both Lyth and Mills will depart in January.
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WHO STEPS UP?
It’s no secret the loss of Mitch Marsh and Phil Salt is going to hurt the Scorchers’ batting power.
Marsh averaged almost 58 with the bat last BBL campaign before playing a starring role in Australia’s T20 World Cup success.
Harvey admits losing the likes of Marsh will hurt, but he’s confident a player like Aaron Hardie could be the man to step up.
“I think when you lose any player the calibre of Mitch or the other guys that have been part of our previous success, I’m not sure you ever like-for-like replace – you adapt and give others opportunity,” he said.
“I think Aaron’s the obvious one to play the role like Mitch.
“Aaron’s the obvious one because he’s a similar player but it’s going to need more than one I think.
“There’s going to be no doubt other hiccups, there’s Covid and injuries, Australian selections – we’re really proud of how we managed last year.
“Whilst we’d love to have Mitch out there, we’ve got to move on and someone’s got to step up which we feel really confident can happen.”
WILL BANCROFT SHINE DESPITE WARNER’S WOES?
Cam Bancroft’s name has been dragged back into the spotlight amid David Warner’s fight to return to a leadership position.
Warner’s battle, which became devastatingly public on the eve of the Second Test against the West Indies, has erupted as the Cape Town saga was dragged back into the headlines.
Bancroft, one of the three players caught up in the scandal alongside Warner and former captain Steve Smith, has managed to remain silent throughout the ordeal.
And now he’ll be the player his side needs to lift in the absence of their top order weapons.
“Cam Bancroft has just made three Shield hundreds, his game’s in great shape,” Harvey praised.
“He now has to make that leap in T20 cricket to take the game on, much like Kurtis Patterson did last year – really a red ball player and give them an opportunity, release the shackles and hopefully Cameron can do that.”
