Perth Scorchers captain Ashton Turner says his team faces a difficult decision on Joel Paris as the team attempts to win BBL title No.6
The Perth Scorchers are set to make a last-minute call on Joel Paris as the left-arm paceman makes a desperate late bid to prove his fitness for Sunday’s BBL final against the Sydney Sixers.
Paris hasn’t played since injuring his groin in the four-wicket loss to the Melbourne Renegades on January 7.
The 33-year-old took 11 wickets at an average of 16.72 across the first seven games of the tournament, and the Scorchers view Paris as an integral cog in their pace attack.
Perth are set to make a final call on Paris just before the toss on Sunday.
“We’ve got some difficult decisions to make, as is always the case in big games, but Joel will be part of that conversation,” Scorchers captain Ashton Turner said.
“We’re halfway through the domestic summer, but this is a game that he’s desperate to be a part of.
“Speaking to him (on Friday), this is probably the one bit of silverware that he hasn’t got in his trophy cabinet.
“We saw the impact that he had for us in the first half of this campaign, and he gives us the left arm variety.
“He’s so versatile that he can take the new ball, he can bowl through the middle, he can bowl the surge and can bowl the death, and there’s not many bowlers that tick those boxes.”
If Paris is picked, fellow paceman Brody Couch is almost certain to be the unlucky player to make way.
The Scorchers will be aiming to land a record-extending title No.6 from what is their ninth grand final appearance.
The Sixers will be appearing in their eighth grand final, and are looking to snare title No.4.
Sunday’s grand final marks the sixth time in 15 seasons the Scorchers and Sixers are meeting in the decider, with Perth holding a 3-2 advantage in those matches.
Perth currently boast the best batting line-up in the competition, with the team having surpassed 200 on a record-extending five occasions this season.
Openers Finn Allen and Mitch Marsh are out-and-out brutes with the bat, while Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie, Ashton Turner and Laurie Evans are also proven match-winners.
The Sixers don’t boast as much batting depth but they possess one of the most in-form players of the league – Steve Smith.
Since playing a key role in Australia’s 4-1 Ashes triumph, Smith has returned scores of 19no, 100, 54, 37 and 65 in his five knocks for the Sixers.
Smith’s heroics helped Sydney snare second spot, and although the team were skittled for 99 in The Qualifier against Perth on Tuesday, they made amends with a thumping 57-run win over defending champions Hobart in Friday night’s ‘Challenger’ clash.
The Scorchers are also wary of Sixers paceman Mitchell Starc, who was in red-hot form during the Ashes and has continued that stunning run since returning to BBL duties.
Tickets for Sunday’s match at Optus Stadium have already sold out, with the Scorchers aiming to beat their previous home crowd record of 53,886 – achieved when they won the BBL 12 final against Brisbane Heat.
BBL|15 finals schedule
Qualifier: Perth Scorchers beat Sydney Sixers by 48 runs
Knockout: Hobart Hurricanes beat Melbourne Stars by three runs (DLS method)
Challenger: Sydney Sixers beat Hobart Hurricanes by 57 runs
Final: Perth Scorchers v Sydney Sixers, Optus Stadium (Sunday, January 25, 7.15pm AEDT)
*A reserve day on Monday, January 26 (7.15pm AEDT) is available for the Final
KFC BBL|15 standings
Team
Matches played
M
Wins
W
Losses
L
Ties
T
No results
N/R
Net Run Rate
NRR
Deductions
Ded.
Total points
PTS
1
SCO
10
7
3
0
0
1.363
0
14
2
SIX
10
6
3
0
1
0.605
0
13
3
HUR
10
6
3
0
1
0.331
0
13
4
STA
10
6
4
0
0
0.759
0
12
5
HEA
10
5
5
0
0
-0.431
0
10
6
STR
10
4
6
0
0
-0.231
0
8
7
REN
10
3
7
0
0
-1.202
0
6
8
THU
10
2
8
0
0
-1.212
0
4
Legend
M: Matches played
W: Wins
L: Losses
T: Ties
N/R: No results
NRR: Net Run Rate
Ded.: Deductions
PTS: Total points
