Squad Breakdown: Perth Scorchers team analysis

The Perth Scorchers return to defend their crown following last year’s triumph in the final against the Sydney Sixers.

The men from the West have proven remarkably successful and consistent over the years, claiming four titles, and finishing runner-up on three occasions.

They’ll again be heavily fancied in BBL12 with a stacked roster boasting exceptional depth, and one that’s not too impacted by availability issues throughout the tournament.

They’re an intriguing prospect leading into round one where they have the early bye, as it’s backed up in round 2 with the double game week.

Following that, they have a further two doubles in round 9 and 12, and then finishing on the round 13 bye.

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With their immense class and SuperCoach relevant roster you can likely lock and load a couple of guns from round 2 through till the final round.

One issue I do have is bowler rotation due to their vast amounts of depth.

Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff (all with injury histories), Matt Kelly, Lance Morris and Peter Hatzoglou are likely to come in and out of the squad throughout the tournament. Not a bad problem to have for the champs…

Then disaster strikes.

Tymal Mills, gone. Mitch Marsh, gone. Phil Salt, gone. Laurie Evans, gone. Enter, Faf Du Plessis. In the words of Bill Lawry, it’s all happening!

The Mills withdrawal in particular helps the bowling rotation risk a lot.

With so many vital buys ahead of their round 2 double, it’s probably wise to start with at least one or two on your bench to begin the SuperCoach season.

Our star SC Playbook contributor Max Bryden has done the hard yards to predict the starting XI of each team, I’ll be running my analysis off these forecasts.

Note that the starting XI’s will alter throughout the pre-season as new signings land, form alters and injuries strike, we’ll do our best to update as the news drops.

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FAF DU PLESSIS (BAT) // $180,000 // BBL11 SC Ave: N/A

With Marsh, Evans and Salt all out of the tournament, the Scorchers have found a pretty handy replacement in former South African skipper Faf Du Plessis.

Du Plessis is likely to open the batting for the red-hot Scorchers outfit.

Across 50 T20 internationals, Du Plessis averaged 35.53 at a strike-rate of 134.38.

His most recent cricket has been in the T20 Caribbean Premier League, produced knocks of 41, 103, 2, 41, 60 and 31. Fair to say the old boy still has some runs in the tank.

He’ll be popular for obvious reasons in the Round 2 double, but the handicappers haven’t missed him at $180k.

ADAM LYTH (BAT) // $105,00 // BBL11 SC Ave: N/A

English bat Lyth is expected to open alongside Faf du Plessis, and he starts at a cheap rate.

My concern is a new English bat in Australian conditions, where it generally takes time for them to settle into the conditions.

Across 166 career T20s, he averages a reasonable 26.72 with a hefty strike-rate of 149.61.

He was excellent in this year’s T20 Vitality Blast tournament in the UK, amassing 525 runs at 35.00, striking at a blistering 177.36!

Recent form in the Abu Dhabi T10 is strong, with scores of 0, 14, 54*, 1, 22 and 51.

With a good role high up the order, and decent form, he looks a fair play at the price.

With the Scorchers playing game one of Round 2, he could easily be your auto-emergency option.

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CAMERON BANCROFT (WKP-BAT) // $91,800 // BBL11 SC Ave: 31.6

Bancroft should bat at three or four, likely three, and he does start at a cheap rate.

He also has the invaluable dual WKP-BAT positioning.

Recent form is very strong, with Marsh Cup scores of 43, 13 and 78* batting at number three for WA. Note, Josh Inglis was coming in at four.

He already has two Sheffield Shield tonnes to his name this season.

One to monitor on role, as I think there will be better buys, but he does loom as a round 2 super POD at a cheap rate.

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JOSH INGLIS (WKP-BAT) // $87,000 // BBL11 SC Ave: 24.2

Despite likely batting at four, I’ll just lock Inglis in at a bargain price for the double.

If he’s at four he’s still a very decent buy at the price, but he’s not necessarily a must-have. With the latest drama of Marsh and Salt missing the tournament, Inglis may even bat three, making him super appealing and closer to that must-have status though.

In eight games last tournament he scored just 137 runs at an average of 17.12, striking at 128.03.

Recent form for WA, Australia and the PM’s XI has been very poor, outside of a Marsh Cup knock of 85 in mid-November which suggests he may not be far off some better scores.

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ASHTON TURNER (BAT) // $105,700 // BBL11 SC Ave: 36.4

One of Australia’s most destructive middle order batsmen on his day, but not one that I can entertain batting at five.

There is a chance he does ball part-time for the Scorchers, but they are blessed with all-rounders which worries me.

He scored 357 runs at an average of 32.45 last season, yet still only averaged 36.4 which suggests significant improvement may be hard to come by barring a role change.

AARON HARDIE (BAT-BWL) // $99,600 // BBL11 SC Ave: 34.3

Hardie is a genuine play, as he has the potential to be one of the better SuperCoach performers pending role.

If he’s sole job is as a number six batsmen with the odd over he’s clearly a no-go, but if bowling frequently he’s worth a strong look.

He’s been prominent with ball for WA of late in domestic cricket, but with serious bowling depth, it’s unsure whether there’ll be room for him to bowl.

There’s chat he’ll take up the Mitch Marsh role, potentially batting as high as three or four, and bowling part-time, which would be immense at under $100k.

He was used very scarcely last season in the bowling ranks.

Marsh Cup form with the bat of late has been ordinary, with scores of 13, 5 and 8, while he’s had a few better knocks in Shield cricket.

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ASHTON AGAR (BWL-BAT) // $160,900 // BBL11 SC Ave: 55.5

Agar will be popular for the double off the back of a strong BBL11 campaign.

He has a great role with bat and ball, although with the bowling depth and presence of Hatzoglou in the spin department there’s a couple of minor question marks, but none to be too concerned about.

If Hatzoglou missed the side in preference of another quick such as Tymal Mills, Agar’s extended role will be locked in.

He took 18 wickets in 15 games last season at 21.88, with an economy of 6.79. Off that alone it’s hard not to see him getting his four overs.

He scored 133 runs last campaign at 22.16, striking at 149.43.

He hasn’t been taking too many wickets of late, but that shouldn’t be a huge concern as he’ll see a significant step down in class to BBL level after plying most of his trade at international level in recent months.

With the bat he’s coming off a 33 for the PM’s XI against the West Indies, and prior to that an 18* against England in an ODI. Before that, scores of 0,0, 3 and 0.

Agar looks an excellent buy.

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JHYE RICHARDSON (BWL) // $149,500 // BBL11 SC Ave: N/A

Richo is an all-time SuperCoach star, and despite entering under an injury cloud, he is expected to be fit for the start of the tournament.

While he’ll almost certainly be in my side for the round 2 double at a bargain price, he and all other Scorchers bowlers do scare me due to rotation risk, particularly coming back from an injury.

He didn’t feature last season due to Australian duties, but prior to that he averaged 64.4 SC points, 58.1, 68.8 and 55.5.

PETER HATZOGLOU (BWL) // $95,700 // BBL11 SC Ave: 33.0

While you can present a case for just about any bowler in BBL, I’m not that keen on Hatzoglou early on due to the bye and poor job security.

Let’s see how he performs leading into the tournament and we can consider for the double should he secure a more assured role.

ANDREW TYE (BWL) // $156,700 // BBL11 SC Ave: 54.0

The Mills withdrawal enhances the security of Tye (in relation to rotation) significatly.

Tye was exceptional last tournament and will again feature prominently in in sides for the double.

While I’m not willing to recruit any bowlers, aside from Agar, prior to Round 2 due to that rotation risk, he’ll be close enough to a must-have provided he’s named for game one of the double

JASON BEHRENDORFF (BWL) // $122,400 // BBL11 SC Ave: 42.2

Pretty much ditto as per above with Tye.

I won’t go early, but Behrendorff looks an exceptional buy for the Round 2 double.

Tye and Richardson are more likely to bowl death, so you could lean toward that pair of the three, but all are capable of taking a bag on their day.

OTHERS

Cameron Green, Lance Morris, Cooper Connolly, Matthew Kelly