Hamish McKenzie’s outstanding rise from grade cricket destroyer to skilled might be accomplished on Sunday, with a Perth Scorchers debut looming ought to the Big Bash ladder-leaders proceed with their two-man spin formulation.
The Subiaco-Floreat all-rounder, who gained a State contract after quickly turning into the most effective participant in Premier Cricket final season, is a part of a 13-man travelling squad for a New Year’s Day conflict with the Melbourne Renegades.
It’s McKenzie’s first away journey since signing as Mitch Marsh’s harm substitute on the eve of the season.
That touring celebration doesn’t embody Ashton Agar, who will as an alternative fly to Sydney on Sunday to affix Australia’s Test squad for the ultimate match towards South Africa.
Quick Matt Kelly and Cameron Bancroft can even journey east from exterior the workforce that beat the Melbourne Stars on Thursday.
The Scorchers have picked two spinners — Agar and enigmatic leg-spinner Peter Hatzoglou — in all however certainly one of their first 5 video games this season and will accomplish that once more, taking part in on a Marvel Stadium wicket usually conducive to show.
But in-form home run machine Bancroft can even come into consideration, having been disregarded to start out the season in favour of worldwide duo Adam Lyth and Faf du Plessis in addition to Nick Hobson.
If Bancroft performs, the Scorchers will flip to captain Ashton Turner’s right-arm off-breaks and Aaron Hardie’s better-than-part-time seamers to fill the fifth bowler spot left by Agar.
Veteran seamer Jason Behrendorff, who performs alongside McKenzie in a stacked Subiaco-Floreat facet, mentioned it will be “very exciting” if the 23-year-old was to debut.
McKenzie revealed to The West Australian earlier this 12 months a espresso with Scorchers legend Brad Hogg and getting “off the piss” helped him grow to be top-of-the-line spinners within the State.
“Hamish has come along way in the last few years and to see him on a State contract with WA and on the Scorchers squad — it’s really exciting.
“He’s a great prospect and if he does get a chance I’m sure he’ll do really well.”
Behrendorff additionally hinted Aaron Hardie’s shock shift to no. 3 within the resounding win over the Stars may stick as they brace for the departure of each opening batters and grapple with the lack of Agar and marquee Cam Green.
Claremont-Nedlands gun Nick Hobson was favoured within the position to start out the season, however slid down to 6 on Thursday, with a possible flip on the prime of the order looming.
“It’s something we could potentially look at going forward,” Behrendorff mentioned.
“Hards has stepped into a really nice role with Mitch (Marsh) in particular being out. Mitch batted three for us last year, that big strong all-rounder, so it is something we could potentially keep going with.
“It is condition-based as well, depending on the wicket and things like that, but it shows us we’ve got options, which is really important.”
