Image Credit- AAP
Even with last season’s heroes, Cooper Connolly and
Nick Hobson, at the wicket, and the Perth Scorchers desperately chasing 156
against Adelaide Strikers in the elimination final, their fervent supporters
never wavered.
The 33,000 spectators at Optus Stadium were right to
be confident, considering the Scorchers’ history of pulling off incredible
victories.
However, the Scorchers’ attempt to win a historic
hat-trick of titles was all but ended when Hobson was caught off guard by a
breathtaking return catch made by Strikers captain Matthew Short. It was an odd
sight, as many of the dejected supporters could not stand to watch any longer
and made their way for the exit.
Before failing to defend 197 against Sydney Sixers in
a last-ball loss that lost them second place and a double shot in the finals,
the Scorchers had won 17 of their previous 18 home games.
In the previous two years, Scorchers/Western Australia
had dominated the domestic titles during a golden age. However, the Scorchers
have shown weaknesses this season, and these are some lessons learned about why
their title defence ended suddenly.
Turner’s injury
Although the Sixers loss is regrettable, the
Scorchers’ pivotal moment came in their third game of the year when captain
Ashton Turner hobbled off the field after bowling his opening ball against the
Hobart Hurricanes.
After having knee surgery, he was declared out of the
competition for the rest of it, despite only having faced 17 balls out in the
middle. Initially, the Scorchers managed to survive without him thanks to the
leadership of Aaron Hardie, the stand-in captain, who had a lot of assistance
from Josh Inglis and Laurie Evans in the middle order.
Turner’s leadership was obviously missed, as was his
cool-headed and strong batting in the latter half of the innings. During the
Scorchers’ championship-winning seasons, his tactical acumen was highly
praised, and his players exhibit a similar coolness.
Scorchers this season looked unusually ragged at
times, with the ball and in the field, especially at the death against Sixers
and Heat. You feel Turner would have been a steadying presence.
Top-order no show
The scorchers were unable to form a productive
starting alliance. It proved important that Cameron Bancroft, who had been a
reassurance to them in the top three during their consecutive victories, left
for Sydney Thunder.
In his six games as England’s opener, Zak Crawley was
only moderately successful, while in his return to the Scorchers, captain Sam
Whiteman of Western Australia could not find his shooting touch.
In his BBL debut, Fanning displayed forceful strokes
that gave him an early advantage this season that had been rare. Building a
foundation before unleashing their big-hitting middle order in the second half
of the innings was the Scorchers’ batting philosophy.
However, as Fanning demonstrated with his clever jab,
Scorchers may need to adjust their mindset.
Agar’s struggles
For many seasons, Agar, a left-arm spinner, has been
the pivot for the Scorchers. He has consistently bowled accurately in the
middle overs, defying the pace-friendly Optus Stadium surface.
After recovering slowly from the calf injury that
wrecked his hopes of playing in the ODI World Cup, Agar had a delayed start to
the season. When he came back against the Hurricanes with 1 for 15 from 3
overs, including 8 dot balls, he didn’t miss a beat.
Agar struggled at home and became a target for
hitters, despite his impressive bowling performances on the east coast, which
included an incredible 2 for 6 from 4 overs against Thunder on a very slow
Sydney Showground track.