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The secret behind the Scorchers dynasty

Justin Langer credits CEO Christina Matthews for helping transform the WACA

Beyond the fireworks – both literal and metaphorical – and the colourful masses at the Furnace this summer, there’s been a far less flashy element to the success of back-to-back BBL premiers the Perth Scorchers.

Head coach Justin Langer and WACA CEO Christina Matthews have been busily developing a formidable combination that has provided much of the strategy, support and backbone behind the Scorchers’ success.

"One thing I recognise in any organisation, or any team, is that leadership is critical, and her leadership is outstanding," Test legend Langer tells cricket.com.au of Matthews, who has been in her post since December 2011.

"She's very strong, she understands cricket, and she's got cricket as the number one priority here at the WACA.

"She's also got a nice spirit about her – there's a really nice feel around the WACA now. I’m fortunate enough to come here nearly every day, and there’s just a nice feel amongst the staff and just generally about the ground, so her leadership has been exceptional."

The Scorchers' ongoing success – they've now won consecutive BBL titles and appeared in all four finals – hasn’t been the only happy tale in West Australian cricket, with the Warriors claiming this season’s Matador One-Day Cup competition.

According to Matthews, Langer's qualities were recognised as suiting the WACA vision, and so far the return of a favourite WA son has been a godsend. 

Matthews concedes her influence on the playing group extends only as far as Langer's "buy-in" to the environment being created at the club.

"(Matthews') influence comes in how you develop the culture around the organisation," she explained.

"The playing group is a reflection of what we're trying to do off the field, and Justin's appointment was clearly in the vein of what we were trying to achieve; he had the right qualities, the right sense of values and integrity that we were looking for in the people we were employing.

"So what he's been able to do on the field is a result of the work we're doing off the field to support him, and his buy-in to that sort of culture."

Langer reciprocates the sentiment.

"The greatest influence Christina has had on the playing group is that she has cricket as the number one interest, and it’s great to see a CEO who’s so dedicated to making cricket really strong in Western Australia," he said.

"I think she has an influence indirectly on our on-field success in that she’s given me as the coach a lot of rope, and she’s given me a lot of support in getting great people around.

"From coaches, to a dietician, to sports psychologist, professional development manager – all really good people to help our players grow as players but also as people.

"So she's given us great encouragement to do that, she's been a fantastic ally for me personally, and there's no doubt she’s had a huge influence here."

Langer also believes Matthews’ presence as a female in such a significant leadership role, combined with the BBL's growing ability to appeal to a broader audience, is a recipe that will lead to an increase in females getting involved in the sport.

"The Big Bash has had a huge influence on my kids – they love it," he added.

"My daughters love the game of cricket – they come to the Furnace and watch every Scorchers game.

"They do get spoiled a bit, because Chris (Matthews) gets them up in the President’s box, so they’re a bit posh for the WACA. But you never know (if they’ll end up playing), cricket’s really growing, and under Christina’s leadership, you can sense it.

"We know how passionate she is about the women’s game, understandably, and with that influence from the top I’m sure that’s going to filter down to seeing a lot more girls playing cricket in this state and hopefully across Australia."