Supercoach Big Bash: Perth Scorchers team analysis, BBL16

Perth enter their Big Bash campaign as reigning champions.

The Scorchers defeated long-time rivals the Sydney Sixers in the final to claim a remarkable sixth title, along with three runner-up finishes.

English superstar Zak Crawley is their major recruit at the top of the order, alongside fellow England international Aneurin Donald who will take the keeping gloves and another Englishman in leg-spinner Calvin Harrison.

Kiwi star Finn Allen is the major out having topped the scoring charts for the Scorchers last campaign.

Let’s take a look at their Supercoach BBL prospects to begin the tournament.

Fixtures

Perth start the season with four single game weeks on the run, meaning their big names won’t be overly relevant early in the Supercoach campaign.

That being said, they do play in game one in three of the first four rounds, and game 2 of the other round.

This makes them extremely viable looping plays in the early stages of the competition.

They feature in the historic tournament opener against the Melbourne Renegades in Chennai, India.

They then have the double game round in round five.

With the competition all on a single game round in round 4, that’ll be where we really start to turn the recruit drive west.

They have no byes across the BBL16 campaign.

Embed from Getty Images

Guns

Aaron Hardie || BAT-BWL II $202,300 II SC BBL15 Ave: 73.4

Hardie is among the elite of Supercoach provided he has the right role.

When he’s batting top four and bowling regular overs he’s a near must on the double, and among the better plays on single game weeks.

He was the fifth highest run scorer last season with 339 runs at an average of 37.66.

He also took 12 wickets with an economy of 8.63.

We’ll learn more closer to the season, but assuming the role continues at full fitness he’ll be one for round 4, hopefully at a discounted price.

Verdict: Buy in round 4

Embed from Getty Images

Lance Morris || BWL II $152,000 II SC BBL15 Ave: DNP

Morris missed the entirety of last season through injury but is fit and firing again for WA.

Circle back to prior campaigns to assess his scoring output.

BBL14: 58.9 Supercoach average in eight games

BBL13: 50.1 Supercoach average in eight games

BBL12: 72.5 Supercoach average in four games

Featuring in a recent 50-over tour match against England he starred with an outstanding 3/29 off his 10 overs which included two maidens.

His wickets included those of Joe Root and Tom Banton in the top three.

Verdict: Buy in round 4 or 5

Embed from Getty Images

Jhye Richardson || BWL II $144,900 II SC BBL15 Ave: 52.6

Richo is one of the best Supercoach players of all-time, provided he’s at full fitness with injury plaguing his career.

Despite a few somewhat down years of late, his Supercoach pedigree tells the story.

BBL15: 52.6 Supercoach average in five games

BBL14: 54.6 Supercoach average in five games

BBL13: 30.5 Supercoach average in eight games

BBL12: 79.7 Supercoach average in seven games

BBL11: Did not play

BBL10: 64.4 Supercoach average in 17 games

He took 11 wickets last season at the expensive economy of 9.35.

He’s been among the wickets in Shield cricket this season with 14 scalps in three games.

Verdict: Buy round 4 or 5

Embed from Getty Images

Mid-rangers

Aneurin Donald || WKP-BAT II $130,200 II SC BBL15 Ave: DNP

The 29-year-old Welsh star made his T20 international debut for England in September.

In 115 T20 fixtures he averages 23.80 at a strong strike-rate of 172.53.

His form of late in the Canada Super60 and Abu Dhabi T10 has been underwhelming with a top score of 30 in his past eight games, he did blast a 91* to open the Canadian campaign though.

I’m wary of imports coming in who don’t know the conditions well, particularly in Perth, so he’s an easy watch and assess early on at an awkward price.

Verdict: Assess early, probably avoid

Mitch Marsh || BAT-BWL II $121,500 II SC BBL15 Ave: 44.1

Marsh is a star of our game, but can be tricky to catch in Supercoach circles due to his role.

He’s one of the best batting assets in the game, however he didn’t bowl a ball last Supercoach campaign.

He hasn’t been bowling at any level of late which is a real hit to his Supercoach credentials.

If he was bowling you could own him on single game weeks, but as bat only his scoring will naturally be volatile.

He’s been in sublime form of late for Australia with scores of 56, 84 and 60 in ODIs against South Africa.

He’s scored just one single digit score in his last 10 knocks, including five half-centuries.

He topped the scoring charts in the UK Hundred competition, blasting 416 runs at an average of 46.22 and a strike-rate of 169.79.

He’s in sublime form…

He averaged 44.1 in 10 games last season, and only played one other game in the three years prior.

He played six games back in BBL11 for a mammoth 106.2 Supercoach average.

While he knows Indian conditions extremely well, that does add another layer of uncertainty in game one.

On current form he could be an enormous early point of difference pick, but I’ll be waiting.

Verdict: Buy round 4 or 5

Embed from Getty Images

Zak Crawley || BAT II $117,500 II SC BBL15 Ave: DNP

The English superstar will attract plenty of attention at just $117k as the tournament progresses.

His form will be a huge watch, having mixed his scoring in recent months at domestic level.

He had an okay Hundred campaign in the UK, averaging 24.14 at a strike-rate of 153.63.

He has played for the Scorchers in the past which will aid his transition to local conditions.

Verdict: Wait and watch, I’m keen to see how he adjusts to conditions early on

Embed from Getty Images

Cheapies

Mahli Beardman || BWL II $87,600 II SC BBL15 Ave: 31.8

The exciting young quick boasts some genuine early credentials at his price.

His potential saw him debut for the Australian T20 side in Pakistan earlier in the year, impressing with 2/33 off four overs.

His form of late has been mixed, highlighted by figures of 4/23 against India A in October.

An early haul of wickets could see big price rises before their round 5 double.

He could be the Scorchers play as an early loop option.

Last campaign he took 13 wickets with an economy of 8.08.

Verdict: Potential round 1 or 2 buy, but likely a wait. If the cheapie scene is grim come round 1 there’s huge merit in starting early, sitting on the bench and hoping for a haul of wickets to gain a jump on squad value.

Will Malajczuk || BAT-BWL II $39,500 II SC BBL15 Ave: DNP

The 19-year-old allrounder presents genuine early Supercoach interest.

Malajczuk featured for WA in both games against the England touring squad, scoring 18 and 24, while finishing with 1/21 and 1/52 with the ball.

His role will be key to his Supercoach prospects, along with the availability of Cooper Connolly throughout the season, who should be with the Australian squad for long periods.

The allrounder role and price is great, but if he bats six or seven and bowls two overs his cash generation will be very limited.

A potential gem, but not without some potential to be an early season trap.

Verdict: Huge pre-season watch, potential round 1 buy

Perth Scorchers Predicted XI

Via Maxy Bryden

1	Zak Crawley
2	Mitch Marsh
3	Aneurin Donald
4	Aaron Hardie
5	Ashton Turner
6	Will Malajczuk
7	Ashton Agar
8	Jhye Richardson
9	Calvin Harrison
10	Mahli Beardman
11	Lance Morris
12	Josh Inglis
13	Sam Fanning
14	Liam Haskett
15	Brody Couch
16	Joel Paris
17	Cooper Connolly
18	Joel Curtis
19	Albert Esterhuysen

Players of note:

• I’d expect Cooper Connolly and Josh Inglis to be unavailable whilst with the Australian Test side. This will increase the opportunities for Aaron Hardie, import Aneurin Donald (WK) and young Will Malajczuk
• Donald will take the gloves and likely bat Top 4. That’s a decent role, but we know some imports can take a bit to figure out Perth
• Calvin Harris is a spin bowler who should play the opening game in India but might not consistently challenge for a spot in the lineup
• As always there’ll be a watch on the fitness of their bowlers. Joel Paris is already hurt and Lance Morris missed all of last season
• Will Malajczuk is a super bright talent on the scene whose already well regarded for his ability to score runs quickly. With no Connolly and Nick Hobson off to Hobart, he could slot into the middle to lower order all year, and he bowls some spin too