A sixth title in 15 seasons underlines Perth's standing as kings of the Bash – and they have no plans to slow down
'One eye on the future': Scorchers find perfect balance
Perth Scorchers captain Ashton Turner doesn't see his team's BBL dominance ending any time soon, and has revealed paceman Joel Paris was almost selected "on one leg" for their latest triumphant title decider.
The Scorchers sealed a record-extending sixth title on Sunday when they crushed the Sydney Sixers by six wickets with 15 balls to spare in front of 55,018 fans at Optus Stadium.
In 15 completed seasons of BBL, Perth have reached a remarkable nine grand finals and boast a 6-3 record in those title deciders.
Perth Scorchers' titles: BBL|03, BBL|04, BBL|06, BBL|11, BBL|12, BBL|15
The next most successful team is the Sixers, who have nabbed three titles from eight grand finals.
"We've been really confident in the group that we've assembled," Turner said. "We feel like we always have one eye on the here and now and one eye on the future, and we're trying to future proof this team and this organisation as best we can.
"And that's through players on our list, it's through our pathways, it's through the management, and ultimately, it's through the culture that we can foster in this cricket club."
Perth's formula of backing local stars complemented with quality, hard-working imports has worked a treat throughout their history.
It was the same this season, with locals such as Cooper Connolly, Mitch Marsh, Aaron Hardie, Ashton Turner, Jhye Richardson, Paris and Mahli Beardman all playing key roles, with imports Finn Allen and David Payne adding more match-winning firepower.
In the final, Payne snared 3-18 off four overs before Allen smashed 36 off 22 balls to get the Scorchers' run chase off to a hot start.
Allen's two-year deal with the Scorchers has now finished, but he is keen to return, and the Scorchers have the option of signing him to another multi-year deal on a platinum contract instead of risking losing him in the draft.
Payne, who has now won two titles with the Scorchers either side of a stint with the Adelaide Strikers, is also keen to return to Perth – but would be at the mercy of the draft.
The Scorchers have locked away the bulk of their star-studded squad already, and Turner is confident of more title success ahead.
"We've had a rich vein of history over the last part of the last decade," he added, "(and) we're confident that that form can continue well into the future as well."
The heartbreak story of Perth's title win was Paris, who fell just short of earning a recall for the decider after failing to overcome the groin injury he suffered on January 7.
Spinner Ashton Agar (calf) was another first-choice player to miss out, while Turner also pointed to pace pair Matt Kelly and Lance Morris, as well as 'keeper-batter Joel Curtis as "just about walk-up starts who didn't get the opportunity".
"He bowled on Wednesday, pulled up sore," Turner said of Paris, who is yet to win a BBL final. "He tried to bowl on Friday, and it was tough to watch.
"He was trying his heart out, but I think he knew deep down that he wasn't going to be able to perform to the standards that he sets for himself.
"He was so limited, but for him to still come into the conversation for selection ... we nearly took him in on one leg. It's a testament to how good a cricketer he is."
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 beat Sydney Sixers by six wickets
KFC BBL|15 standings
| Team | M | W | L | T | N/R | NRR | Ded. | 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 |
M: Matches played
W: Wins
L: Losses
T: Ties
N/R: No results
NRR: Net Run Rate
Ded.: Deductions
PTS: Total points