Orange is the new green: Dunsborough’s Lance Morris makes Perth Scorchers switch for BBL11

Dunsborough’s Lance Morris is set for a BBL homecoming this summer, with the former Melbourne Stars paceman putting pen to paper at the Perth Scorchers today. The WACA contracted fast bowler will join the club for BBL11 after three seasons at the Stars, having made both his Sheffield Shield and Marsh One Day Cup debuts for Western Australia last season. But the quick said a move home to Perth had been on the cards for a while. “It was always in the works that I was going to come back to WA eventually,” Morris told The West Australian. “Initially I went over to the Melbourne Stars and that was a really good experience and I learned a lot but I think I always wanted to come back to Perth and play for the Scorchers at some stage. “I felt like a grew a lot as a player during my time at the Stars, especially playing with the likes of Dale Steyn, Nathan Coulter-Nile. Just being in the same changerooms as those guys was really beneficial and even playing in front of crowds.” He played seven games across his three campaigns with the MCG-based club, taking just one wicket from limited opportunities. A move to the Scorchers means he is likely to fill the void expected to be left by injury-prone left-arm quick Joel Paris, who is believed to have accepted an offer elsewhere. The former Dunsborough Cricket Club player becomes the club’s second signing this off-season, with former Melbourne Renegades leg-spinner Peter Hatzoglou also moving West. Morris, who has been given the nickname ‘The Wild Thing’ for his rapid but sometimes erratic bowling style, won the WACA’s Rising Star award at this year’s Lawrie Sawle Medal night. Speaking to cricket.com.au, Scorchers and Western Australia coach Adam Voges said he was excited to be able to unleash Morris. “He’s an exciting talent who bowls with genuine speed,” he said. “We’re looking forward to him continuing his development as a Scorcher.” Morris said he was keen to go to work on the Optus Stadium turf, having never actually played at the venue. “I still haven’t played a genuine game at Optus, I’ve done centre-wicket net sessions but that’s about it so it will be pretty exciting to play out there,” he said. “The day before we played against the Scorchers in BBL09, I think I was a sniff of playing but I split the webbing in my finger so it was pretty devastated that I couldn’t play.” Morris will become the second South West product on the Scorchers list for BBL11, with former Colts Cricket Club player Sam Whiteman set for a ninth season in orange. Bunbury’s Chloe Piparo also recently signed a two-year contract extension to play with Perth’s women’s team in the WBBL. Known for their fearsome pace attacks across the first decade of the short-format competition, Morris joins Jason Behrendorff, Andrew Tye and Jhye Richardson as the paceman already locked down for this season. The new BBL season begins on December 5, before the Scorchers open their campaign against the Brisbane Heat at Optus Stadium on December 8. Morris will meet his former teammates in a blockbuster festive period clash on December 30 at home.

Orange is the new green: Dunsborough’s Lance Morris makes Perth Scorchers switch for BBL11

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