Exciting wicketkeeper-batter Joel Curtis will get his first taste of life in the KFC Big Bash League, signing with Perth Scorchers ahead of Sunday’s Wild West BBL|15 opener against bitter rivals Sydney Sixers at Optus Stadium.
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Curtis joins as the Local Replacement Player for fellow gloveman Josh Inglis, who is expected to remain with the Australian Test squad throughout the NRMA Insurance Ashes series.
The 26-year-old has been WA’s most effective white ball batter this season and sits third on the One-Day Cup run-scoring chart with 265 runs at 53 (strike rate 107.28).
An attacking left-hander with scoring options all around the ground, he belted 116 opening the batting against Queensland in September and 68 versus Victoria in his most recent limited overs knock at the start of the month.
Curtis has also established himself as WA’s backup wicketkeeper across formats, taking the gloves whenever Inglis is required by the national team. Such is the quality of Curtis’ batting, the pair have featured in the same side on several occasions.
The Scorchers and Sixers will launch BBL|15 with a Wild West-themed extravaganza at the Furnace, with the tournament’s first ball to be bowled at 4:15pm, WA time.
Perth Scorchers General Manager – High Performance Cricket and Elite Teams, Kade Harvey said:
“With Josh Inglis unavailable throughout The Ashes, we saw an opportunity to add another wicketkeeper to the mix.
“Joel has developed nicely with regular opportunities for WA over the last couple of years.
“He’s a neat gloveman who works hard on his craft, and we like the way he goes about his batting, particularly in white ball cricket.
“Joel can play a few different roles for us, as well, whether up the top of the order or in the middle, so that versatility adds nice depth to the squad.”
Perth Scorchers’ squad for KFC BBL|15: Ashton Turner ©, Ashton Agar, Finn Allen (New Zealand), Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Brody Couch, Joel Curtis (Local Replacement Player), Laurie Evans (England), Sam Fanning, Aaron Hardie, Nick Hobson, Josh Inglis, Bryce Jackson, Matthew Kelly, Mitch Marsh, Lance Morris, Joel Paris, David Payne (England), Jhye Richardson.
MATCH DETAILS
KFC BBL|15 – Game One | Wild West
Perth Scorchers v Sydney Sixers
Sunday 14 December. First Ball 4:15PM, AWST
Optus Stadium, Perth
LIVE: Seven, 7Plus, Foxtel, Kayo, ABC Sport, SEN
KFC BBL|15 – Game Two
Brisbane Heat v Perth Scorchers
Friday 19 December. First Ball 4:15PM, AWST
The Gabba, Brisbane
LIVE: Foxtel, Kayo, ABC Sport, SEN
KFC BBL|15 – Game Three | Boxing Day Bash
Perth Scorchers v Hobart Hurricanes
Friday 26 December. First Ball 6:15PM, AWST
Optus Stadium, Perth
LIVE: Seven, 7Plus, Foxtel, Kayo, ABC Sport, SEN