Perth Scorchers (WBBL)

The Perth Scorchers (WBBL) are an Australian women's Twenty20 cricket team based in East Perth, Western Australia.[a] They compete in the Women's Big Bash League, and won their first championship in WBBL|07.

Perth Scorchers (WBBL)
LeagueWomen's Big Bash League
Personnel
CaptainSophie Devine
CoachShelley Nitschke
Team information
CityPerth
Colours  Orange
Home groundWACA Ground
Secondary home ground(s)Lilac Hill Park
History
Twenty20 debut11 December 2015 (2015-12-11)
WBBL wins1 (2021–22)
Official websitePerth Scorchers
Current season

History

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Formation

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One of eight founding WBBL teams, the Perth Scorchers are aligned with the men's team of the same name.[2] On 9 May 2015, the WACA announced Mark Atkinson as the Scorchers' inaugural coach.[3] At the official WBBL launch on 10 July, Jess Cameron was unveiled as the team's first-ever player signing.[4] Nicole Bolton was appointed as Perth's inaugural captain.[5]

The Scorchers faced almost immediate turmoil, however, with Cameron taking an indefinite break from cricket in October (she would return to the league the following season, albeit with the Melbourne Stars).[6][7][8] Then, days before the beginning of WBBL|01, Atkinson was replaced in the head coaching role by Lisa Keightley.[9] Despite these unexpected obstacles, the team rallied in their first match on 11 December at Aquinas College to defeat the Brisbane Heat by two runs.[10]

Rivalries

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Sydney Thunder

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The Scorchers and Sydney Thunder have met in two semi-finals:

  • 21 January 2016, Adelaide Oval: Defending a total of 6/118, the Thunder restricted the Scorchers to 9/110 and claimed victory by eight runs. The Thunder would go on to win the inaugural WBBL championship.[11][12]
  • 1 February 2018, Perth Stadium: In the first innings, the Scorchers posted a total of 2/148. The Thunder were reeling by the 11th over of the run chase, having lost five wickets for just 46 runs. Fran Wilson piled on 46 runs from 28 balls late in the match but Perth, led by Emma King's 3/17, easily defended the target to win by 27 runs.[13]

A scheduling quirk, the two teams did not meet in the Thunder's home state of New South Wales until WBBL|06 when the entire tournament was played in Sydney due to the COVID-19 pandemic. From 2017 to 2018, five of their regular season encounters were played at Lilac Hill Park and characterised by close finishes, including:

  • 7 January 2018: The Scorchers were well poised to chase down their target of 146 until a catch on the boundary by Thunder fielder Lisa Griffith dismissed Nicole Bolton for 71 in the 18th over. On the last ball of the match, Scorchers batter Mathilda Carmichael was run out by a metre while attempting a game-tying run, therefore securing victory for the Thunder by the narrowest of margins.[14][15]
  • 29 December 2018: The Thunder were catapulted to a score of 5/179 by a late 49-run partnership between Harmanpreet Kaur and Stafanie Taylor (which included 21 runs off the 18th over against the bowling of Taneale Peschel, who had taken 1/12 in her first three overs). Eight overs into the second innings, captain Meg Lanning had scored 71 of the Scorchers' 83 runs. Although Lanning was run out for 76 in the tenth over, Elyse Villani went on to score 66 not out, guiding the Scorchers to a six-wicket victory with one ball remaining. In doing so, the Scorchers set a new WBBL record for highest successful run chase.[16]

Sydney Sixers

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The Sydney Sixers have met, and defeated, the Scorchers in two championship deciders:

  • 28 January 2017, WACA Ground: With Sydney captain Ellyse Perry sidelined due to a hamstring injury, the Sixers posted a modest total of 5/124 in the first innings. An unbeaten knock of 35 from 30 balls by Katherine Brunt was not enough to secure victory for the Scorchers, as the Sixers "fielded like demons and bowled dry"[17] in a "veritable classic"[17] to win by a narrow seven-run margin and claim their maiden title. Sarah Aley earned Player of the Final honours for her bowling figures of 4/23 off four overs.[18]
  • 4 February 2018, Adelaide Oval: Electing to bat first, the Scorchers were steamrolled for 99 all out. The Sixers experienced little difficulty in the run chase, mowing down the required target with nine wickets in hand and 30 balls remaining to claim a second consecutive WBBL title. Sarah Coyte earned Player of the Final honours for her bowling figures of 3/17 off four overs.[19]

Brisbane Heat

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Noteworthy matches between the Scorchers and the Brisbane Heat include:

  • 11 December 2015, Aquinas College: The Scorchers, in their first-ever game, successfully defended a total of just 9/106 by bowling out the Heat for 104. Katherine Brunt finished with bowling figures of 4/17 and was also credited for the run out of Holly Ferling on the last ball of the match, securing a two-run victory for the Scorchers.[10]
  • 24 January 2017, WACA Ground: In the WBBL|02 semi-finals, Perth chased down the target of 125 with 26 balls remaining. In what was a thumping defeat, the only wicket Brisbane managed to take was that of Elyse Villani, for 52, via run out.[20][21]
  • 26 December 2018, Perth Stadium: Played as a double-header after a men's match in front of a reported crowd of 14,983 spectators (setting a new attendance record for a WBBL game in Western Australia),[22] the Scorchers' total of 5/136 was chased down by the Heat with five wickets in hand and four balls remaining.[23]

Adelaide Strikers

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In the league's early years, the Scorchers and Adelaide Strikers experienced several instances of senior members switching allegiances:

  • Inaugural Strikers captain Lauren Ebsary joined the Scorchers after just one season.[24][25]
  • Former Scorchers captain Suzie Bates moved to the Strikers ahead of WBBL|03 and became the first player to lead two WBBL clubs.[26][27]
  • After scoring the most runs for Perth throughout WBBL|01, Charlotte Edwards transferred to Adelaide in her final year of cricket.[28] The following season, Edwards assumed an assistant coaching role for the Strikers.[29]
  • Ahead of WBBL|06, former Adelaide all-rounder Shelley Nitschke was appointed to the position of head coach for the Scorchers.[30][31]

Noteworthy matches between the two teams include:

  • 13 January 2018, Traeger Park: In a match reduced to 16 overs per side due to a rain delay, the Scorchers could only muster a first innings score of 9/87. In the run chase, Suzie Bates played a lone hand of 49 not out to help the Strikers win by six wickets with one ball to spare.[32]
  • 9 November 2019, Karen Rolton Oval: An innings of 80 runs from 58 deliveries by Amy Jones helped Perth post a total of 3/173. Despite a slow start to the run chase, Adelaide finished strongly with Bridget Patterson scoring 60 off 32 balls. However, Heather Graham conceded just a single off the final ball to give the Scorchers a two-run win.[33]
  • 7 December 2019, Allan Border Field: In the WBBL|05 semi-finals, the Strikers comfortably reached the required total of 127 with eight wickets in hand and eleven balls remaining to eliminate the Scorchers from the tournament.[34]

Captaincy records

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There have been six captains in the Scorchers' history, including matches featuring an acting captain.

Captain Span M Won Lost Tied NR W–L%
Nicole Bolton 2015–2016 150 7 8 0 0 46.67
Suzie Bates 2016–2017 16 9 7 0 0 56.25
Elyse Villani 2017–2018 21 11[b] 10 0 0 52.38
Meg Lanning 2018–2019 24 14 10 0 0 58.33
Sophie Devine 2020–present 40 22[c] 15 0 3 59.46
Beth Mooney 2020 2 0 2 0 0 0.00

Source:[35][d]

Season summaries

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Chart of yearly table positions for Perth Scorchers in WBBL
Season W–L Pos. Finals Coach Captain Most Runs Most Wickets Most Valuable Player Refs
2015–16 7–7 4th SF Lisa Keightley Nicole Bolton Charlotte Edwards – 462 Brunt, Shaw – 16 Katherine Brunt [38][39][40]
2016–17 8–6 2nd RU Lisa Keightley Suzie Bates Elyse Villani – 442 Emma King – 17 Katherine Brunt [41][42][43]
2017–18 8–6 3rd RU Lisa Keightley Elyse Villani Elyse Villani – 535 Katherine Brunt – 23* Katherine Brunt [44][45][46]
2018–19 7–7 5th DNQ Lisa Keightley Meg Lanning[e] Elyse Villani – 403 Heather Graham – 22* Heather Graham [47][48][49]
2019–20 9–5 3rd SF Lisa Keightley Meg Lanning Meg Lanning – 531 Heather Graham – 15 Nat Sciver [50][51][52]
2020–21 6–6 4th SF Shelley Nitschke Sophie Devine[f] Beth Mooney – 551* Sarah Glenn – 17 Beth Mooney [53][54][55]
2021–22 9–3* 1st* C Shelley Nitschke Sophie Devine Beth Mooney – 547* Heather Graham – 18 Sophie Devine [56][57][58]
2022–23 6–7 5th DNQ Shelley Nitschke Sophie Devine Beth Mooney – 434* Alana King – 17 Marizanne Kapp [59][60][61]
Legend
DNQ Did not qualify SF Semi-finalists * Led the league
EF Lost the Eliminator RU Runners-up ^ League record
CF Lost the Challenger C Champions

Home grounds

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Venue Games hosted by season
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 Total
Aquinas College 2 N/A[g] 2
Lilac Hill Park 3 3 3 4 2 3 18
Perth Stadium 1 1 1 3
WACA Ground 5 5 4 2 3 3 3 25

Current squad

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As of 8 September 2024[63]
  • Players with international caps are listed in bold.
No. Name Nat. Birth Date Batting style Bowling style Notes
Batters
5 Mathilda Carmichael   4 April 1994 Right-handed Right-arm medium
9 Amy Edgar   27 December 1997 Right-handed Right-arm medium
25 Maddy Green   20 October 1992 Right-handed Right-arm off spin Overseas marquee
28 Chloe Piparo   5 September 1994 Right-handed Right-arm off spin
All-rounders
Charis Bekker   14 March 2004 Right-handed Left-arm orthodox
77 Sophie Devine   1 September 1989 Right-handed Right-arm medium fast Captain, overseas marquee
7 Marizanne Kapp   4 January 1990 Right-handed Right-arm medium fast Overseas marquee
Wicket-keeper
Maddy Darke   30 March 2001 Right-handed
10 Beth Mooney   14 January 1994 Left-handed Australian marquee
Bowlers
8 Piepa Cleary   17 July 1996 Right-handed Right-arm medium fast
22 Holly Ferling   22 December 1995 Right-handed Right-arm medium fast
23 Alana King   22 November 1995 Left-handed Right-arm leg spin Australian marquee
56 Lilly Mills   2 January 2001 Right-handed Right-arm off spin
6 Taneale Peschel   29 August 1994 Right-handed Right-arm medium fast
Georgia Wyllie   3 May 2002 Right-handed Left-arm medium fast

Players

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Australian representatives

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  The following is a list of cricketers who have played for the Scorchers after making their debut in the national women's team (the period they spent as both a Scorchers squad member and an Australian-capped player is in brackets):

Overseas marquees

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The following is a list of cricketers who have played for the Scorchers as overseas marquees:[h]

Associate rookies

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Statistics and awards

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Team stats

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Opposition M Won Lost Tied NR W–L%
Adelaide Strikers 18 7[b] 10 0 1 41.18
Brisbane Heat 17 7[b] 10 0 0 41.18
Hobart Hurricanes 15 10[b] 4 0 1 71.43
Melbourne Renegades 15 10 5 0 0 66.67
Melbourne Stars 17 10 7 0 0 58.82
Sydney Sixers 18 9 9 0 0 50.00
Sydney Thunder 18 10 7 0 1 58.82
Total 118 63[i] 52 0 3 54.78
  • Highest score in an innings: 2/194 (20 overs) vs Melbourne Renegades, 3 November 2021
  • Highest successful chase: 4/180 (19.5 overs) vs Sydney Thunder, 29 December 2018
  • Lowest successful defence: 9/106 (20 overs) vs Brisbane Heat, 11 December 2015
  • Largest victory:
    • Batting first: 104 runs vs Melbourne Renegades, 12 November 2022
    • Batting second: 55 balls remaining vs Melbourne Stars, 10 November 2021
  • Longest winning streak: 7 matches (17 November 2021 – 20 October 2022)
  • Longest losing streak: 4 matches

Source:[68]

Individual stats

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  • Most runs: Elyse Villani – 1,706
  • Highest score in an innings: Sophie Devine – 103 (68) vs Sydney Sixers, 8 November 2020
  • Highest partnership: Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney – 173 vs Sydney Thunder, 24 October 2021
  • Most wickets: Heather Graham – 102
  • Best bowling figures in an innings: Marizanne Kapp – 4/10 (4 overs) vs Hobart Hurricanes, 7 November 2021
  • Hat-tricks taken: Nicole Bolton vs Hobart Hurricanes, 19 December 2015[69][70]
  • Most catches (fielder): Heather Graham – 35
  • Most dismissals (wicket-keeper): Beth Mooney – 20 (15 catches, 5 stumpings)

Source:[68]

Individual awards

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Sponsors

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Year Kit Manufacturer Chest Sponsor Back Sponsor Breast Sponsor Sleeve Sponsor
2015–16 Majestic Rebel Alcohol. Think Again Alcohol. Think Again Rebel
2016–17 Kleenheat Kleenheat
2017–18
2018–19 Kleenheat Holman
2019–20 Canon Foods Canon Foods Peet
2020–21 REIWA
2021–22 Nike Peet PEP Transport Budget Direct PEP Transport

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Contact Us | Perth Scorchers - BBL". www.perthscorchers.com.au. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  2. ^ "Eight teams announced for Women's BBL". Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  3. ^ "Atkinson named Fury, Scorchers WBBL coach". cricket.com.au. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Cameron Launches Scorchers WBBL". Perth Scorchers. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  5. ^ "Scorchers name skipper, major signing". Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  6. ^ "Jess Cameron to take indefinite break from cricket | ESPNcricinfo.com". www.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  7. ^ "Cameron confirms return to cricket". cricket.com.au. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  8. ^ "Stars sign Cameron, Lanning for WBBL|02". cricket.com.au. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  9. ^ Townsend, John (3 December 2015). "Keightley takes over as women's mentor". The West Australian. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  10. ^ a b "Full Scorecard of Perth Scorchers Women vs Brisbane Heat Women 4th Match 2015 - Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". www.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  11. ^ "Full Scorecard of Sydney Thunder Women vs Perth Scorchers Women 1st Semi-Final 2016 - Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". www.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  12. ^ "Rookies punch above their weight in Thunders' triumph | ESPNcricinfo.com". www.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  13. ^ "Recent Match Report - Perth Scorchers Women vs Sydney Thunder Women 1st Semi-Final 2018 | ESPNcricinfo.com". www.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  14. ^ "Full Scorecard of Sydney Thunder Women vs Perth Scorchers Women 29th Match 2018 - Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". www.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  15. ^ "Scorchers stun Thunder at WACA". cricket.com.au. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  16. ^ "Scorchers Create History in Thrilling Win". Perth Scorchers. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  17. ^ a b "Recent Match Report - Perth Scorchers Women vs Sydney Sixers Women, Women's Big Bash League, Final | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  18. ^ "Sixers crowned WBBL|02 champions". cricket.com.au. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  19. ^ "Recent Match Report - Sydney Sixers Women vs Perth Scorchers Women, Women's Big Bash League, Final | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  20. ^ "King emerges to rule for Scorchers". cricket.com.au. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  21. ^ "Recent Match Report - Brisbane Heat Women vs Perth Scorchers Women 1st Semi-Final 2017 | ESPNcricinfo.com". www.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  22. ^ "Thrilling finals cap off successful WBBL|04". cricket.com.au. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  23. ^ "Jonassen guides Heat to thrilling win". cricket.com.au. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  24. ^ a b "WBBL: All you need to know". cricket.com.au. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  25. ^ "Ebsary Calls Stumps On WBBL Career". Perth Scorchers. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  26. ^ "Scorchers star defects to Strikers". cricket.com.au. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  27. ^ "NZ captain to lead Strikers in WBBL|03". cricket.com.au. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  28. ^ "England star Edwards joins Strikers WBBL". SBS News. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  29. ^ "Edwards to return to Adelaide in coaching role". Adelaide Strikers. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  30. ^ "Strikers lure Nitschke out of retirement for WBBL". Adelaide Strikers. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  31. ^ "Nitschke To Lead Scorchers Women Next Season". Perth Scorchers. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  32. ^ "Strikers' pressure beats Scorchers". cricket.com.au. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  33. ^ "Scorchers win last-ball thriller over Strikers". The West Australian. 9 November 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  34. ^ "Strikers storm to WBBL Final". Adelaide Strikers. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  35. ^ "Women's Big Bash League - Perth Scorchers Women Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  36. ^ "Full Scorecard of Hurricanes W vs Scorchers Wm 51st Match 2020/21 - Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  37. ^ "Sophie Devine of the Scorchers and Corinne Hall of Hurricanes take..." Getty Images. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  38. ^ "Women's Big Bash League, 2015/16 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  39. ^ "Women's Big Bash League, 2015/16 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  40. ^ "Bancroft, Bolton Take Top Honours For WA Cricket". waca.com.au. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  41. ^ "Women's Big Bash League, 2016/17 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  42. ^ "Women's Big Bash League, 2016/17 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  43. ^ "WA Cricket's Next Generation Takes Top Honours". waca.com.au. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  44. ^ "Women's Big Bash League, 2017/18 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  45. ^ "Women's Big Bash League, 2017/18 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  46. ^ "Brilliant Brunt, Affable Agar Take Scorchers Gongs". Perth Scorchers. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  47. ^ "Women's Big Bash League, 2018/19 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  48. ^ "Women's Big Bash League, 2018/19 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  49. ^ "Graham, Turner Named Players Of The Year". Perth Scorchers. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  50. ^ "Women's Big Bash League, 2019/20 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  51. ^ "Women's Big Bash League, 2019/20 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  52. ^ "Richardson, Sciver Claim Top Gongs". Perth Scorchers. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  53. ^ "Women's Big Bash League, 2020/21 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  54. ^ "Women's Big Bash League, 2020/21 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  55. ^ "Bolton, Green Take Top Honours For WA Cricket". waca.com.au. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  56. ^ "Women's Big Bash League, 2021/22 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  57. ^ "Women's Big Bash League, 2021/22 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  58. ^ "WA Cricket Awards: Edgar, Cartwright receive top honours". wacricket.com.au. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  59. ^ "Women's Big Bash League, 2022/23 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  60. ^ "Women's Big Bash League, 2022/23 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  61. ^ "Bancroft, Piparo Take Top Honours". wacricket.com.au. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  62. ^ "New schedule, village confirmed for WBBL|06". cricket.com.au. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  63. ^ "All the BBL and WBBL squads for 2024-25 season". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  64. ^ "World Cup star Nicky Shaw retires". ESPN.com. 10 July 2010. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  65. ^ "Players Selected for WBBL Associate Rookie Program". International Cricket Council website. International Cricket Council. 10 December 2015. Archived from the original on 25 December 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  66. ^ Battrick, Jake (16 November 2016). "Hong Kong skipper to join Scorchers". Perth Scorchers. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  67. ^ Cricket Network (29 November 2017). "ICC rookies bound for the WBBL". cricket.com.au. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  68. ^ a b "Women's Big Bash League - Perth Scorchers Women Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  69. ^ "Top 5 Moments Of WBBL|01". Perth Scorchers. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  70. ^ "Get Ball by Ball Commentary of Hobart Hurricanes Women vs Perth Scorchers Women, Women's Big Bash League, 16th Match | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 4 December 2019.

Notes

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  1. ^ Administrative and training base[1]
  2. ^ a b c d Includes one win via Super Over
  3. ^ Includes two wins via Super Over
  4. ^ ESPNcricinfo erroneously credited Beth Mooney as the Scorchers' captain for a match on 21 November 2020.[36][37]
  5. ^ Elyse Villani stood in as acting captain for five games.
  6. ^ Beth Mooney stood in as acting captain for two games.
  7. ^ All WBBL|06 matches were played in Sydney due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[62]
  8. ^ Englishwoman Nicky Shaw was classed as a local player when signing for the Scorchers due to her permanent residence in Australia and having made a lack of recent international cricket appearances.[64][24]
  9. ^ Includes three wins via Super Over
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