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BBL12: Perth Scorchers lose important top-order batter Kurtis Patterson to rival Big Bash League franchise

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Jordan McArdleThe West Australian
Kurtis Patterson has left the Perth Scorchers.
Camera IconKurtis Patterson has left the Perth Scorchers. Credit: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

Kurtis Patterson has played his last game for Perth Scorchers.

The West Australian understands the re-born opener is poised to join a east-coast Big Bash League franchise in a massive blow to the reigning champs.

It could change the Scorchers’ plans for next month’s inaugural import draft and who they retain.

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The 29-year-old New South Welshman enjoyed a career-best BBL campaign after his shift to the top of the order, amassing a franchise-high 391 runs at an average of 30.08 and strike rate of 142.18.

Patterson, who didn’t even have a Big Bash half-century to his name in 30 previous appearances at the Sydney Thunder and Scorchers, raised the bat for the four times in BBL11 including a best of 78 in the tournament-opening win over Brisbane to announce himself for a big campaign.

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Patterson is the only local player from last season’s BBL final victory over Sydney Sixers not to re-sign.

All up 14 locals will be back for BBL12 - Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie, Peter Hatzoglou, Nick Hobson, Josh Inglis, Matt Kelly, Mitch Marsh, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner and Andrew Tye.

With Patterson gone, destructive New Zealander Colin Munro or last season’s player of the final, Englishman Laurie Evans, are likely to be strongly considered for the retention pick over speedster Tymal Mills.

Kurtis Patterson had a break-out BBL campaign for the Perth Scorchers.
Camera IconKurtis Patterson had a break-out BBL campaign for the Perth Scorchers. Credit: Mike Owen/Getty Images

Perth will take picks six (round one), 14 (round two), 19 (round three) and 30 (round four) into the inaugural draft, to be held on August 28.

Former Scorchers opener Liam Livingstone is another player likely to be in the franchise’s sights but is also attracting a lot of interstate interest after putting his hand up for the draft.

Evans was a revelation in his maiden BBL campaign last summer, amassing 361 runs at an average of 40.11 and strike rate of 144.4.

He saved his best performance for last, producing a player-of-the-final 76 not out off 41 balls against Sydney Sixers to help the Scorchers win a record fourth title.

The Scorchers’ BBL12 campaign gets underway with a grand final rematch against the Sixers at Optus Stadium on December 17, their first home game in more than a year.

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