Big Bash League: Perth Scorchers’ bowlers shouldn’t be underestimated in final says Aaron Finch

Despite a power-packed batting line-up, former Australian white-ball captain Aaron Finch says the impact of Perth Scorchers’ bowlers shouldn’t be underestimated ahead of Sunday’s Big Bash final at Optus Stadium. Perth’s batting depth has hogged many of the headlines as the five-time champions claimed seven victories on their way to topping the table at the end of the home-and-away season. The star-studded unit, headlined by Mitch Marsh and Finn Allen, managed totals of more than 200 in every away game. However, at their home fortress, conditions have proved much trickier; the side’s bowlers are the ones keeping them in the game, including against the Sydney Sixers in the Qualifier. Strangled to 9-147 on another two-paced deck, Perth’s bowlers were brilliant, even under the pressure of red-hot superstar Steve Smith, bowling the Sixers out for 99. And Finch, who will be in the commentary hot seat for Channel Seven in Perth on Sunday, said don’t be surprised if the bowlers steer the Scorchers’ title hopes in the final, which will be live and free on Seven and 7Plus. “Perth are so disciplined and finding ways to continue to win when they probably haven’t played their best is so important in a tournament like the Big Bash, and they continue to do it,” he told The West Australian. “Whether it’s been with bat in hand, with some explosive innings early in the tournament from Cooper Connolly, or you’ve got Finn Allen or Mitch Marsh at the top, who have been really dynamic. “But their consistency with the ball has been the most impressive thing. “They’re not a one-dimensional attack, and at different times they’ve used spin really well, which is something you don’t generally associate with playing at Optus Stadium. “At times, teams can go too hard when they bat first at Optus Stadium, and then you leave yourself vulnerable with a mediocre score.” Speedy young gun Mahli Beardman was the chief destroyer on Tuesday with three vital scalps, but the emergence of Connolly’s left-arm spin as a genuine wicket-taking option, with 15 for the season, has opened up Turner’s playbook. Finch, who captained Australia’s 2021 T20 World Cup title-winning team, said he felt spin would play an important part again on Sunday. “I’d be very, very surprised if there wasn’t an extra spinner played against Perth. I think it’s one area, particularly leg spin, that you can look to really go hard at them,” he said. “Growing up in Perth, guys probably aren’t used to playing spin as much, so that will be really important, and I would be surprised if there weren’t at least two spinners on each side.” The Scorchers will give veteran tweaker Ashton Agar until the last possible minute to prove his match fitness as he returns from a calf injury, while bolter Luke Holt could potentially return after not putting a foot wrong in his first three matches despite being dropped due to conditions in the Qualifier. While Finch was full of praise for bowlers, he’s still a batter at heart and suggested the title could come down to one innings of brilliance, highlighting big-hitting Kiwi Allen. “The point of difference is probably more with an explosive innings from a batter,” he said. “When you think about Finn Allen, Mitch Owen and Steve Smith, that type of impact innings where a player really sets it up for the rest of the game. “I think it will be one of the openers that gets away to a flyer that probably breaks the back of the game in one way or another. “Finn’s a great ball striker, and I think at times you have to think defensively against players like him. “There are some players where you have to knock them over early. “Whereas, I think with Finn, you think defensive first, as in how can I get him off strike. That’s one way where a player of his style who wants to face ball after ball and often starving them of a strike is as good as getting them out.”