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Scorchers land England T20 gun, Nielsen boost, Dwarshuis out, Sixers-Thunder face off
The Perth Scorchers announced a big English import and completed their 18-man roster, while the Sydney Thunder added a former championship winner plus they faced the Sixers in two practice games.
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SIGNINGS
The Perth Scorchers confirmed the signing of English death overs fast bowler Tymal Mills ($125k BWL), who took seven wickets in four games at the T20 World Cup.
Scorchers coach Adam Voges said: “We saw the impact he had for England over in the World Cup and his last 12-24 months have been outstanding. He’ll obviously be really important for us at the back end of the innings.”
He will arrive in Sydney on Monday from the UAE where he’s been playing in the Abu Dhabi T10 League and will serve his quarantine period before lining up with the team, but he’ll definitely miss Perth’s first game.
The Scorchers also added left-handed batsman Nick Hobson ($42k BAT) and 18-year-old batting all-rounder Cooper Connolly ($42k BAT/BWL).
Hobson, who played five games for Perth in BBL|08, was top scorer in WA Premier Cricket last season with 1,048 runs, and may be in contention to open in the early absence of Josh Inglis after 90 in a practice game on Wednesday.
Australia Under-19 rep Connolly is quite raw and unlikely to feature this season. He’s also currently out with a finger injury.
The Sydney Thunder unveiled medium-fast bowler Gurinder Sandhu ($69k BWL) as their final squad signing after taking 11 wickets in his past two games for Queensland. He was a Sixers replacement player last season and was part of the Thunder’s title-winning side in BBL|05.
Thunder coach Trevor Bayliss: “He’s done extremely well for Queensland this summer, and everyone knows he’s determined to do the same for Thunder.”
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REPLACEMENT SIGNINGS
The Scorchers also added tall right-arm paceman David Moody ($62k BWL) to replace Jhye Richardson on Ashes duty. WA-based Moody spent the past three seasons with the Hurricanes, playing five games in BBL|08.
The Brisbane Heat confirmed two new replacement players in fast bowling duo Will Prestwidge (BWL) and Cameron Gannon (BWL). The pair come into the squad to replace Matt Willans ($42k BWL) due to injury and Michael Neser on Ashes duty.
PRACTICE GAMES
The Sydney Sixers and Thunder played two practice games on Thursday, with Ben Dwarshuis ($181k BWL) not involved meaning he’s very unlikely to play in Round 1.
Sam Billings blasted 90 from 45 balls in the first game for the Thunder. Daniel Sams ($203k BAT/BWL) smashed 66* off 27 balls in the second game and took two wickets, while Matthew Gilkes made 35 from 15 opening the batting.
Moises Henriques made 77 from 57 in the first game for the Sixers, while Ben Manenti took 2-27 in the second game.
UPDATES
Alex Carey was confirmed as Australia’s wicketkeeper for the first two Ashes Tests meaning Harry Nielsen ($76k WKP/BAT) is likely to get an extended run for the Strikers.
TOMORROW
Stars coach David Hussey and captain Glenn Maxwell will speak to the media, along with Scorchers all-rounder Ashton Agar.
Honeyball SC BBL memberships are on sale! Only $35 season offer or $20 per month. Get access to all HB content, plus our exclusive injury list, comprehensive global T20 leagues form guide, HB Twitter & Whatsapp chats, entry into our members-only SC group (with a SC Champion ring for the winner) and more.
