Perth Scorchers have finalised their list for the upcoming KFC BBL|14 season, handing spin-bowling allrounder Matthew Spoors his first BBL contract.
Spoors boosts Scorchers' spin-bowling stocks
Formerly a top-order batter, WA Cricket Academy member Spoors has transformed himself into an attacking leg-spinner capable of scoring quick runs in the middle-order.
The 25-year-old was dominant for Scarborough last season, sharing the 2023-24 Olly Cooley Medal with Perth veteran Jono Wells as WA Premier Cricket’s best and fairest player.
He featured prominently during the Emerging Scorchers’ maiden Top End T20 campaign in August, before impressing in several WA pre-season intrasquad games.
Spoors has also played 10 T20Is and five ODIs for Canada, where his mother was born, and hammered a T20I century against the Philippines in February 2022.
In Spoors, Ashton Agar and Cooper Connolly, the Scorchers will have three spin-bowling allrounders at their disposal throughout BBL|14.
Reflecting on his first Scorchers contract, Spoors said:
“Playing for the Scorchers is something I’ve had my sights set on for a long time now, so to be part of a team with this history of success and a fantastic group of players is an honour.
“I’ve been on a pretty interesting journey with cricket over the last three or four years that has seen me end up in various parts of the world. To get back to Perth, put in the work each week, string together some solid form for Scarborough, and to see that form recognised means a lot.
“I take a fair bit of confidence from the way I’ve approached my game in Premier Cricket the last few years, and from training and playing in a few practice games with WA. I’m in a really positive space with my cricket and having a lot of fun with it.
“I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can. The Club has a strong core group of players and staff, and being part of that group is an amazing opportunity. I just want to take it all in, enjoy the experience, and contribute as much as possible.”
Perth Scorchers BBL|14 list: Ashton Turner ©, Ashton Agar, Finn Allen (New Zealand), Mahli Beardman, Jason Behrendorff, Cooper Connolly, Sam Fanning, Aaron Hardie, Nick Hobson, Matthew Hurst (England), Josh Inglis, Keaton Jennings (England), Matthew Kelly, Mitch Marsh, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Matthew Spoors, AJ Tye.