CLT20 team profile: Perth Scorchers

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Cricket365
September 16, 2013

Three spinners of international experience in Brad Hogg, Michael Beer and Ashton Agar are bound to serve the team very well on pitches primed for turn and bounce. What Delhi will lack in lift, Jaipur will avail in spin.

Captain: Simon Katich Coach: Justin Langer 2012 CLT20: Group A exit C365 Rating: 6/10 Betting Odds: <a href='http://www.paddypower.com/bet/cricket/champions-league-20' target='_blank' class='instorylink'>14-1</a>

Strengths The Scorchers have gained a bit of momentum, qualifying for consecutive editions of the Champions League Twenty20. While they could not advance beyond Group A in 2012, they are certainly wiser for the experience.

A late start to the competition means the Australian outfit will get an early look at the opposition. While Brisbane, the Lions and the like will endure a tough weekend of competition, Perth will take in additional preparation.

Weaknesses The loss of the Marsh brothers, Shaun and Mitchell, to injury is a big twin blow. While the pair's absence really blights the batting ranks, the younger sibling's probing seam will be missed in sub-continental conditions.

Three fixtures in three different cities is a tough ask. The BCCI-influenced tournament scheduling, indeed, has not been good to visiting teams. Ahmedabad and Jaipur will bring particularly volatile conditions.

The Scorchers have, arguably, the toughest schedule – an opening match against last year's losing finalists, a second fixture against an unknown qualifier (hence, curtailed homework against the opposition) and a decider against the defending IPL champions.

Star Player Captain and opening batsman Simon Katich is a remarkably seasoned professional, capable of swiftly adapting to foreign circumstances, despite arguments against his ability in the shortest format of the game.

Bench Warmer Hilton Cartwright was not in the original squad, included as a late replacement for Mitchell Marsh. He held his own in the warm-up fixtures against the Strike, but isn't likely to garner a permanent berth, regardless.

They Said "You always look at trends, and it's worrying that Shaun and Mitch are having these hamstring problems. Everyone knows what Shaun can do with the bat. We've all seen it, particularly in the shorter version of the game. But you can't make runs if you're not on the field." – coach Justin Langer.

Squad Simon Katich, Ashton Agar, Michael Beer, Jason Behrendorff, Hilton Cartwright, Burt Cockley, Liam Davis, Brad Hogg, Joel Paris, Joe Mennie, Tom Triffitt, Ashton Turner, Adam Voges, Sam Whiteman, Marcus North.

Fixtures Monday, 23 September: v Lions, Ahmedabad Wednesday, 25 September: v TBC, Jaipur Sunday, 29 September: v Rajasthan Royals, Jaipur Wednesday, 2 October: v Mumbai Indians, Delhi