The Perth Scorchers offered an insight into their batting line-up in a Thursday intra-squad game, while there were updates on Shadab Khan, Sam Harper, Will Sutherland and Peter Handscomb.
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PRACTICE GAME
The Perth Scorchers played an intra-squad game on Thursday morning, with two different batting line-ups whereby Cameron Bancroft ($91k BAT/WKP) opened for the first batting side, making 30 off 19, with Aaron Hardie ($99k BAT/BWL) at first drop, making 29 off 17.
For the second batting side, Josh Inglis ($87k BAT/WKP) and Nick Hobson ($83k BAT) opened, scoring 10 off 8 and 34 off 24 respectively. Cooper Connolly ($42k BAT/BWL) came in at 4 and made 7 off 6.
All the Scorchers fast bowlers were left out, with another game on Friday, but spinner Peter Hatzoglou ($95k BWL) took 3-50 from four overs and Ashton Turner ($105k BAT) took 2-21 from three.
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Jimmy Neesham ($140k BAT/BWL)
Jack Edwards ($74k BAT)
Mickey Edwards ($69k BWL)
Sam Whiteman ($62k BAT)
Peter Handscomb ($62k BAT/WKP)
Ben Manenti ($67k BWL)
UPDATES
Hurricanes assistant coach Xavier Doherty talked up the role of Shadab Khan ($125k BAT/BWL). He said: “Obviously Shadab Khan played an integral role for Pakistan. Bowling his leg-spin and a hard-hitting middle-order batsman. I think he’s a prized recruit.”
Scorchers coach Adam Voges talked up Nick Hobson ($83k BAT) and Cameron Bancroft ($91k B/W) as players who can step in for the injured Mitch Marsh and Phil Salt, along with Cooper Connolly ($42k BAT/BWL).
Voges told 91.3 Sport FM: “We can replace Mitch Marsh. I don’t think we’re in a rush. We’ve got some good cover. Nick Hobson and Cameron Bancroft, who didn’t get a lot of opportunity last year, they’re certainly going to get a lot more this year. Cooper Connolly is in our squad as well, he’s going pretty well.”
Voges discussed replacing Salt too, with their final overseas signing. He said: “We’ll replace Phil Salt and get another overseas player in. We’re looking for another top-order player. We’re working hard to have someone available, hopefully for the game on the 17th (Round 2).”
Renegades coach David Saker spoke to cricket.com.au, confirming that Sam Harper ($100k WKP/BAT) will be their first-choice wicketkeeper, with Peter Handscomb ($62k WKP/BAT) backup in the role.
“You can read how you want to read into (the Handscomb signing) but Harps will play our first game as our wicketkeeper,” Saker said. “Where we bat him we don’t know but Petey has been brought in as a backup wicketkeeper but as more experience, he’s a very good head around the dressing room.”
Saker also talked up Will Sutherland ($62k BAT/BWL) and Akeal Hosein ($105k BWL).
“Will Sutherland is a player that has made some big steps forward in his Shield cricket,” Saker said. “He’s made a hundred in Shield cricket … so we’re thinking he’ll make some big steps in T20.
“Akeal is just a really clever bowler that has also been hard to hit square of the wicket. We just thought spin overs in T20 cricket, they’ve got great economy rates, they take wickets, mystery spinners.”
UPCOMING
Here’s our list of practice games:
Scorchers: Intra-squad practice matches, Friday 9am, Scotch College
Stars: Practice match v Renegades, 2pm Friday, Junction Oval
Renegades: Practice match v Stars, 2pm Friday, Junction Oval
Sixers: Practice matches v Thunder, 3pm & 7pm Friday, SCG
Thunder: Practice matches v Sixers, 3pm & 7pm Friday, SCG
Heat: Intra-squad practice match, 5pm Friday, Metricon Stadium
Strikers: Intra-squad practice match, Saturday, TBC
Hurricanes, Sixers & Thunder, TBC
*all times local
