Perth Scorchers general manager Kade Harvey has offered some insights into the side’s plans for BBL|16 including a potential role for young gun Will Malajczuk.
Malajczuk, 19, looms as a SuperCoach cheapie, with the expected $39k price tag and BAT/BWL status.
The WA all-rounder comes with some pedigree, scoring a record-breaking century at the U19 World Cup earlier this year, before making his state debut in February. He’s since notched up 6 appearances for WA at 50-over level.
The Scorchers will be without Finn Allen and Laurie Evans in BBL|16, while finisher Nick Hobson has moved on to the Hobart Hurricanes too.
Fellow all-rounder Cooper Connolly’s availability is unclear due to being part of Australia’s Test squad, along with uncontracted WA keeper Josh Inglis.
All that could open the door for Malajczuk according to Harvey.
“Basically, we’re handing (coach) Adam (Voges) and the captain and the coaching crew a squad of players for them to pick the right balance for each game,” Harvey told The West Australian.
“Certainly, Will Malajczuk is a young guy who we think can play a role at No.6, No.7 throughout the tournament.”
Perth have added English top-order duo Aneurin Donald and Zak Crawley as their imports along with spinner Calvin Harrison from Trent Rockets where Adam Voges was an assistant.
Harvey added: “I think Zak can bat anywhere in the order, a lot of our guys can bat anywhere.”
Meanwhile, the Scorchers have some concerns on the injury front, with left-arm quick Joel Paris ruled out until mid-December following a hamstring tendon strain suffered in WA’s draw with NSW last month.
Aaron Hardie is nursing a minor muscle strain in his right shoulder while Lance Morris, who missed all of BBL|15, is still working his way back to fitness from a pre-season side strain.
Perth’s first game of BBL|16 is on December 12 against the Melbourne Renegades in India.
Read more about the Scorchers’ predicted line-up here.
