Perth Scorchers

Last year: 1st on ladder (5 wins, 2 losses), lost in Final

Overview

10 re-signed, 8 added, 2 lost, 6 not signed

Big gets

Pat Cummins, Albie Morkel

Big losses

–

Possibly limited availability

Mike Hussey, Pat Cummins, Albie Morkel

Thoughts

Like the Stars and Sixers, they’ve managed to keep the core of last years squad – a lot of who have international experience – while at the same time building upon it. They’ve lured Adam Voges back from the Stars, enticed Pat Cummins away from both Sydney teams and picked up Tom Triffitt to replace Luke Ronchi. Their batting lineup is full of big names – Gibbs, North, Hussey, Katich, Marsh – if anything, it is their bowling that is potentially light, but if Hoggy can perform like he did last year then that shouldn’t be an issue either.

Picking up Albie Morkel as their second international is a huge move. Although South Africa are hosting New Zealand for a trio of International T20s, they don’t clash too badly with the Scorchers schedule, the Scorchers play December 16, 18, then don’t play again until the 29th. In-between South Africa host NZ on the 21st, 23rd and 26th – theoretically Morkel mightn’t miss a game… he’d likely be exhausted though.

Grade

B+ It’s a strong team, with strong continuity from last year, but they’re also all a year older… The addition of Morkel earns them the ‘+’.