BBL Draft: Local Heroes Return For Massive Summer

And he’ll be joined in Perth by another title-winning Scorcher, David Payne, after both Englishmen were selected during the BBL Draft this afternoon.

Having already committed their Platinum pick (No.5) to New Zealand pre-signing Finn Allen, Perth passed in the second round (No.16) before using their Silver selection (No.17) on fan favourite Evans.

The recruitment of Evans is a coup for the Scorchers, who regain one of their most successful and popular imports.

Evans boasts the second-best average (46.64) and third-highest strike rate (161.63) of any specialist batter in Scorchers history (minimum 10 innings) and was crucial to his team winning the BBL|11 decider.

He notched up 361 runs at 40.11 (strike rate 144.40) that year, rounding out the COVID-affected campaign with an unbeaten 76 from 41 to be named Player of the Final against Sydney Sixers at Marvel Stadium.

Returning to the Club in BBL|13, Evans belted 292 runs at 58.40 (strike rate 189.61), highlighted by the brutal and unbeaten 28-ball 85 to dismantle Adelaide Strikers on home turf.

Evans’ third season at the Scorchers follows a year at Melbourne Renegades in BBL|14.

Perth swooped again in the Bronze round, snaffling experienced pace bowler Payne at pick 28.

The tall left-armer played a vital role in the Scorchers’ BBL|12 championship after being called up halfway through the season as an international replacement player.

He tallied 10 wickets at 17 in six games, including 3-20 against Sydney Sixers in The Qualifier at Optus Stadium despite struggling with illness leading into and during the contest.

Among those scalps was superstar opener Steve Smith, removed during the Power Play following two centuries and a half-century in his previous three innings.  

A popular teammate with additional BBL experience at the Strikers, Payne adds to a stacked pace attack featuring Jhye Richardson, Lance Morris, Joel Paris, Matt Kelly, Mahli Beardman, Bryce Jackson and allrounder Aaron Hardie.

Powerful opener Allen, who signed for Perth on a two-year deal ahead of BBL|14, will be looking to build upon a campaign that saw him score at the incredible strike rate of 184.69.

Allen has been in blistering form for San Franscisco Unicorns, belting 151 from just 51 deliveries (five fours, 19 sixes) against Washington Freedom last week.

With the recruitment of Evans and Payne, Perth have just one local spot remaining on their list for BBL|15.

Perth Scorchers list to date for BBL|15: Ashton Agar, Finn Allen (NZ), Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Laurie Evans (UK), Sam Fanning, Aaron Hardie, Nick Hobson, Josh Inglis, Bryce Jackson, Matt Kelly, Mitch Marsh, Lance Morris, Joel Paris, David Payne (UK), Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner.