Tye's topsy-turvy year on the up

White-hot Perth Scorchers paceman Andrew Tye says he has Australia’s Gillette T20I tri-series in the back of his mind as he continues to wreak havoc on batsmen in the KFC Big Bash League.

The Scorchers death bowler has leapt out of the blocks in his fourth season in orange, having collected nine wickets in their first two matches; already just one scalp behind his total from BBL|06.

The right-armer opened his account with 4-21 in the big final re-match against the Sixers – a haul that included his third hat-trick this calendar year - and backed it up in front of a sell-out home crowd against the Stars on Boxing Day with career-best BBL figures of 5-23.   

The 31-year-old’s run of good form comes after a topsy-turvy year saw him claim a hat-trick and 5-17 on debut in the India Premier League in April, only to injure his left shoulder and be ruled out of the remainder of the tournament.

He underwent surgery on the joint and after five months in rehab was handed a late call-up to Australia’s T20I in October when Pat Cummins was withdrawn from the series in India.

"To play the tour of India was really good, I wasn’t expecting it,” Tye told cricket.com.au.

"To go over there and play a few games in conditions I’d played well in was good, but it was tricky at a different time of year (from the IPL).

"It was very hot, very sweaty and I lost control of the ball once or twice because it was quite wet.

"I feel like I could have done better but all in all I was pretty happy with my performances."

Tye is hoping to have a chance to replicate his well-known variations and slower balls in Australia’s upcoming T20I tri-series against England and New Zealand in February, but isn’t getting too far ahead of himself.

"I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t on my mind but it’s more to the back of my mind because first thing first is the Big Bash," Tye said.

"I’ve got to try and put some good performances on the board and hopefully the Scorchers can have a few wins."

With an unflattering international economy rate of 9.77, Tye’s figures in Australian colours aren’t as persuasive as his current form would vouch for, but the Scarborough-bred pacer insists it’s not a sore spot.

“I’ve got that role in the team where I’m bowling two of the last three overs normally,” Tye said when asked if the figures reflect on his execution.

“I would have liked to do a little bit better than I have but there’s some situations in the game where sometimes you don’t quite execute and at that level it’s shown up, but I’m quite happy with my performances and the way I’ve gone. 

“Each time you play is a learning curve and I’ve learned a lot and think I‘m getting closer to being a consistent performer at that level.”

With Scorchers teammates Cameron Bancroft, Shaun Marsh and brother Mitch Marsh unavailable due to Test commitments, combined with their growing injury list, the reigning champions were all but written off leading in to BBL|07.

But despite also having injured ‘keeper Sam Whiteman and pace attack leaders Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Joel Paris benched, Justin Langer’s men have found a way to get the job done thus far, undefeated after two matches.

A telling task awaits for the Scorchers as they look to prove their depth when they face up against the unbeaten Melbourne Renegades outfit on Friday night at Etihad Stadium.