Duffield replaces crock Cummins for Scorchers
Strike bowler Ryan Duffield will replace injured Pat Cummins in the Perth Scorchers line-up for the upcoming Big Bash League season.
Cummins will continue his rehabilitation from a lower back bone stress injury.
New playing conditions for BBL allows Cummins to resume his place in the Scorchers squad if he recovers from his injury, while
Duffield would return to the supplementary list.
“The biggest crowd I’ve played in front of here was against England in the Tour game, which probably would have been 5-6000,” Duffield said.
“So, it’ll be a big step up, but it’ll be amazing.
“It’s a good opportunity to be a part of the squad.
“It’s a strong team, so any opportunity I get I have to take with both hands, but I’m looking to learn as much as I can and progress my game as much as I can in the next eight weeks.
“I’ve bowled at the Furnace a lot, so I’d feel pretty confident if I had the opportunity to play at home.
“I felt I’ve been bowling pretty well, we went to Hobart recently and I got four wickets there, and got a few in Adelaide on a flat wicket, then got eight the other week for Melville.
“At the moment, things are going well, but it’s up to me to make the most of any opportunity that comes my way.”
Left-armer Duffield has played once previously with the Scorchers, at the 2012 Champions League in South Africa where he took 1-17 from three overs against the Auckland Aces.
He also took 2-96 in the WA Chairman’s XI tour match against England in the lead-up to the Ashes, dismissing both Gary Ballance and Matt Prior caught behind.
The paceman has played two Sheffield Shield games this season, with match figures of 4-79 and 3-114 against Tasmania and South Australia.
Cummins has been blighted by back injury since playing his only Test, in South Africa, just over two years ago.
Perth Scorchers fixtures
Sun 22 December - Brisbane Heat v Perth Scorchers, Gabba
Thurs 26 December - Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Renegades, the Furnace
Tues 31 December - Adelaide Strikers v Perth Scorchers, Adelaide Oval
Fri 3 January - Perth Scorchers v Sydney Thunder, the Furnace
Tues 7 January - Perth Scorchers v Hobart Hurricanes, The Furnace
Fri 10 January - Sydney Sixers v Perth Scorchers, SCG
Thurs 16 January - Perth Scorchers v Adelaide Strikers, the Furnace
Mon 27 January - Melbourne Stars v Perth Scorchers, MCG
Perth Scorchers squad: Simon Katich (c), Ashton Agar, Michael Beer, Jason Behrendorff, Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Liam Davis, Ryan Duffield, Brad Hogg, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Joel Paris, Dwayne Smith, Alfonso Thomas, Tom Triffitt, Ashton Turner, Adam Voges, Sam Whiteman.
