Perth Scorchers coach Lachlan Stevens predicts the pitch conditions in South Africa will suit his team perfectly in the upcoming Twenty20 Champions League tournament.
The Scorchers, who begin their campaign against the Titans in Centurion on Saturday, will rely heavily on their pace attack of Nathan Coulter-Nile, Mitch Marsh, Ben Edmondson, Nathan Rimmington and Joe Mennie to keep teams in check during the lucrative event.
But Stevens said the seam-friendly conditions would not only benefit Perth’s pace battery, but also spinners Brad Hogg and Michael Beer, who are used to bowling at the fast and bouncy WACA Ground.
“The conditions here will be more favourable for us due to our line-up and having played on the WACA quite a lot last season,” Stevens said from South Africa.
“Our spinners both enjoyed the pace and bounce of some of the wickets (in Perth) and will enjoy it here.
“And the pace attack we bring with Edmondson, Rimmington, Coulter-Nile, Marsh and Joe Mennie will enjoy the seam-friendly conditions if they’re available.”
The South African-based Titans feature the likes of AB de Villiers, Paul Harris and Jacques Rudolph, while the talent-laden Scorchers boast Paul Collingwood, Simon Katich, Jacques Kallis and the Marsh brothers amongst a host of other big names.
Scorchers opener Shaun Marsh, who made a name for himself in T20 ranks through several successful stints in the IPL, said he was looking forward to again strutting his stuff on the big stage.
“It’s certainly a format I really enjoy playing,” Marsh said.
“I’ve had success over the last few years with it and hopefully I can get out there on Saturday and get the team off to a good start and have a good tournament.
“It’s a great experience to play against some of the best players in the world.
“We are going to have to be on our game in every game to win.”