The Perth Scorchers have been the best side in the competition in the last 3-4 years with two titles and a near miss last year. They have a structure and a method which works and they will be eager to get their title back this season.
Stats
Last Season: Semi-Finals (3rd in regular season)
Captain: Adam Voges
Overseas Players: Ian Bell & David Willey
Key Player: Michael Klinger
Best Odds: 9/2 General
Predicted Finishing Position: 2nd
Fixtures
Friday December 23 – Adelaide Strikers (h)
Tuesday December 27 – Sydney Sixers (a)
Thursday December 29 – Melbourne Renegades (a)
Sunday January 1 – Sydney Thunder (h)
Thursday January 5 – Brisbane Heat (h)
Wednesday January 11 – Brisbane Heat (a)
Saturday January 14 – Melbourne Stars (h)
Saturday January 21 – Hobart Hurricanes (a)
Preview
Players In: Mitchell Johnson, Hilton Cartwright, Jhye Richardson, Ian Bell
Players Out: Brad Hogg, Simon Mackin, Michael Carberry, Marcus Harris
The Perth Scorchers always go into a campaign as one of the teams to beat. On paper they might lack the stars that some of the other sides have but they don’t tend to import many players so they are a squad which knows each other well and that rings true on the field.
The Scorchers have historically relied on their bowling attack to defend most targets and they are very adept at doing that but with Michael Klinger one of the best batsmen in the country and some excellent young talent who deliver solid cameos underneath him. You know what to expect from the Scorchers but overcoming it still isn’t easy.
Betting
I’ve already taken Ian Bell to be the top tournament batsman and I’m hoping he goes well in the tournament but I’m going to allow myself a top Perth batsman because the price on Sam Whiteman is incredible.
He looks to be in some form at the minute with 50s in the last two warm up matches and lightning fast ones at that. With Shaun Marsh out for the beginning of the season there has been recent talk that Whiteman will be Klinger’s opening partner which immediately makes the 25/1 on him to be the top Perth batsman a crazy price. Add in his form and there is enough potential there to take him alongside the Bell outright.
With the ball Mitchell Johnson will add something to the Scorchers’ attack but there is always the concern that he will miss matches through injury. Speaking of injuries the likes of Nathan-Coulter Nile, Joel Paris and Jason Behrendorff either miss the start of the season or its entirety through injury and with David Willey potentially being called away by England there is a spot for the taking.
Initially there were concerns that Andrew Tye was going to miss the start of the season through injury but he has been named in their squad for the first game so he is fit which is a boost. Almost on reliability grounds he is worth backing but his skills and quality make him a leading chance too.
Tips
Back S.Whiteman Top Perth Scorchers Tournament Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 26.00 with Ladbrokes
Back him here:
Back A.Tye Top Perth Scorchers Tournament Bowler for a 2/10 stake at 3.75 with Betfred
Back him here:
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