Inside Word: Our Scorchers set to light up T20 World Cup

The ninth edition of the T20 World Cup sees players representing ten nations from around the world, and if you’re a Perth Scorchers fan, you will notice some recognisable faces who are poised to play significant roles for their teams.

Let’s take a look at each Perth Scorchers player who is set to feature in the tournament, and the role they are expected to play in their country’s bid to be crowned World Champions.

Sophie Devine
We start with Sophie Devine, arguably New Zealand’s greatest ever Female cricketer. The 35-year-old remains her team’s most important player and if New Zealand want to challenge the top teams in the tournament, Devine will need to be at the top of her game.

While her leadership and international experience (285 international appearances) will be invaluable to a youthful New Zealand outfit, her match-winning abilities with the bat will be vital to the success of her side. Whether at the top or in the middle order, Devine’s power and destructive hitting has led her team to victory on countless occasions, and New Zealand will be hoping she can deliver on the world stage once again.

Not only does Devine display incredible leadership and an unmatched dynamism with the bat, her crafty right-arm seamers may also prove to be important in conditions which might not favour the batters, particularly as the tournament goes on.

The T20 World Cup serves as a perfect preparation for a busy summer for the New Zealand superstar, as she returns to the Perth Scorchers for a fifth straight season. Earlier this year, Devine recommitted to the club for a further two years, becoming the first Scorcher to be signed under the league’s new multi-year international signing rule.

Dayalan Hemalatha
Hemalatha is one of the most talented ball strikers in all of India, and while not always first picked in her country’s best XI, her best cricket is as good as any. 

She is an incredible talent, often batting at the top of the order for India and for Gujarat Titans in the Women’s Premier League, teaming with Scorchers teammate Beth Mooney on a regular basis.

The powerful right-hander has the ability to take the game away from the opposition in an instant, and while she might not feature in the early stages of the tournament, she might prove to be a valuable addition to India’s batting lineup as the pitches start to wear.

Known for her strong hitting down the ground and the ability to counter-attack against spin, the conditions in Dubai will suit Hemalatha more than most other players in the tournament. 

India are among the tournament’s favourites, and don’t be surprised to see Hemalatha front and centre as her team aim to break their T20 World Cup hoodoo.

Amy Jones
Consistent, reliable, game-breaker, match-winner. Those are some of the words that spring to mind when you think of Amy Jones.

A dynamic wicketkeeper batter who has made a habit of winning games for England, there isn’t much that the 31-year-old hasn’t achieved in her decade-long international career.

A T20 World Cup, however, has eluded her and her teammates over the journey, with England’s last T20 World Cup triumph coming way back in 2009, the tournament’s very first edition.

Jones remains an ever-present part of this England setup. Batting in the middle order and taking the gloves, her role in the games shortest format is crucial to the success of her team. 

An incredible player of slow bowling, her ability to hit over the top and in different areas of the ground will be critical in the slow Dubai conditions, with runs set to be at a premium as the tournament progresses.

Jones has become a reliable ‘finisher’ for both country and franchise over the past 12 months, with the classy right-hander blasting 262 runs at 26.20 in 13 matches, with an impressive strike rate 151.44 for the Scorchers during WBBL|09.

If England are going to raise that T20 World Cup trophy, expect Jones to play a big role.

Alana King
An incredibly talented cricketer, King’s inclusion in the touring squad comes as no surprise once you delve into her career T20I numbers. 

The right-arm legspinner has taken 22 wickets in 21 matches at 19.52 including a best of 4/8 against Barbados in 2022, at a miserly economy of 6.29 runs per over.

Despite having not played a T20I since January 2022, King could play an important role in the tournament, in conditions expected to be conducive to slow bowling. 

The 28-year-old is expected to form part of a spin attack featuring fellow legspinner Georgia Wareham, left-armer Sophie Molineux and allrounder Ash Gardner.

With the ability to add valuable runs in the lower order and her dynamism in the field, Agar presents an intriguing option for the selectors. 

Her form in the warm-up games has been impressive, taking 4/30 and striking 21 not out off just 13 balls against the West Indies.

Beth Mooney
Is there a more important player for Australia than Beth Mooney?

The classy left-hander has been one of the most consistent players in the Women’s game over the past five years, with her record in the 20-over game as impressive as they come.

Across 101 T20Is for her country, the 30-year has notched 2858 runs at 39.69 including 23 half-centuries and two centuries and a strike rate of 123.66. Those numbers put her in elite company, placing third on Australia’s T20I all-time run-scoring list, bettered only by Meg Lanning (3405) and Alyssa Healy (2987).

Mooney is the glue of Australia’s much-vaunted batting lineup. She forms a powerful opening partnership with Healy, with the pair often using their combination of dynamic ball striking and composure at the crease to get their team off to strong starts in the Powerplay.

Another quality player of spin, Mooney often shines when the conditions get tough for batting. Her game relies on touch and skill more than power, which will hold her in good stead in the unpredictable Dubai conditions.

Australia are the warm favourites to make it four World Cup titles in a row, and you would expect Mooney to feature among the tournament’s leading run-scorers once again.