BBL13: Perth Scorchers third import could be determined by England’s squad to tour India

The Scorchers drafted English opener Zak Crawley and middle-order batter Laurie Evans in September, but their third import role remains vacant as the one month countdown to the tournament nears.

Perth list boss Kade Harvey told CODE Sports recently that England’s tour of India, which gets underway on January 25, would be a factor in the club’s final call.

“There’s a bit happening with England selection and the tour of India,” Harvey said.

“There’s still a bit of uncertainty there. We need to bolster our top-order batting.

“We’ll wait until closer to the season to see how our fast bowlers are shaping up and what international selection looks like.”

Crawley will likely head to India in mid-January, leaving Perth with a top-order void.

Ben Duckett, who previously played for Brisbane Heat, would likely be on the list of options Perth would consider to bolster its batting.

Duckett made 302 runs from 12 innings in BBL11 before emerging as a Test regular.

Jonny Bairstow, who was set to play for Melbourne Stars in 2020 before a surprise Test recall, would be another contender for the import slot.

The issue for Perth is that should it sign either batter, the mid-January loss of Crawley would be further compounded.

England’s Test vice-captain Ollie Pope would be another top-order option, but has not played since injuring his shoulder during the Ashes.

Pope would almost certainly be in England’s squad should be prove his fitness.

Rehan Ahmed (Sixers) and Harry Brook (Stars) are other players destined to depart mid-tournament for the England tour.

Losing overseas players mid-season is nothing new for BBL clubs, who vie with other white-ball tournaments and international tours for players every summer.

The Scorchers have also lost Cameron Bancroft (Sydney Thunder), with the returning Sam Whiteman looming as his direct replacement.

Perth has long relied on a strong core of local talent, rather than big-name internationals, to form the nucleus of the team which has been a perennial title contender.

“We make no secret of the fact we prioritise our domestic squad and our domestic players and the overseas players add value where they can,” Harvey said.

“How they fit into our group and how they go about that is actually really important and when we find someone who finds their good fit both ways, we’re always looking to continue that relationship where we can.”

That focus proved crucial when the club’s three international draftees were ruled out in a chaotic run in to BBL12.

The Scorchers were thrown into chaos before the tournament, losing Laurie Evans (contract terminated after positive anti-doping test), Phil Salt (injured) and Tymal Mills (family reasons) on the eve of the competition.

South African superstar Faf du Plessis, English seamer David Payne and batter Stephen Eskinazi were rushed in at the last minute by the eventual champions as replacements.

Meanwhile, the Scorchers have been encouraged by Cooper Connolly’s recovery from a toe injury and expect the hero of last season’s final to be available for the start of the BBL.

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All-rounder Aaron Hardie, the leading run-scorer of BBL12, is another concern after suffering a quad injury.

But like Connolly, he is expected to play again for Western Australia before the BBL starts.

Ashton Agar (calf) and Jhye Richardson (shoulder) are other key injury concerns for the Scorchers.