Big Bash League: Spin-heavy Sydney wicket has Corey Rocchiccioli in the frame for Perth Scorchers debut

West Australian spinner Corey Rocchiccioli is firming for a Perth Scorchers debut on an ENGIE Stadium wicket set to rag in Tuesday night’s clash with Sydney Thunder. Rocchiccioli is in Sydney and set to be named in the Scorchers’ 14-man squad later today. He is a strong chance to debut at the expense of one of the Scorchers’ pace bowlers, with the low and slow wicket at the Sydney Showgrounds traditionally spin-friendly. Thunder captain David Warner has already flagged on Channel 7’s coverage of their loss to Melbourne Stars on Sunday night the home side will load up with three spinners for the clash. The Scorchers bowled 10 overs of spin and picked leg-spinning all-rounder Matthew Spoors in a 61-run defeat to the Sydney side at the same ground last season. Warner’s side are likely to pick Australian white-ball spinner Tanveer Sangha as well as all-round pair Shadab Khan and Chris Green. Rocchiccioli — who was considered a chance to be added to Australia’s Test squad after Nathan Lyon’s hamstring injury — signed with the Scorchers as a last-minute replacement player for Jhye Richardson after he entered the national team camp. But the reigning Laurie Sawle medallist had been an early frontrunner for a spot on the list in pre-season and impressed in the club’s Top End T20 tournament campaign in Darwin earlier in the year. He has previously played four matches for Melbourne Renegades and one for Melbourne Stars. “If he is in, I know he’s absolutely ready,” teammate Mahli Beardman said of Rocchiccioli. “We’ve seen how incredible he’s been in red-ball cricket, but I think he’s developed his white-ball game really well.” The Scorchers will also be boosted by the return of Test batter Josh Inglis, who has been sent to Sydney and released to play on Tuesday night. His return to take the gloves will be a timely chop-out for part-time wicketkeeper Finn Allen, given the likely heavy reliance on spin and standing up the stumps. But Inglis will also force Scorchers staff to make a call on their batting order. The No.4 spot looms as the most likely for Inglis, and that has been occupied by Aaron Hardie, who has a top-score of 23 from three chances with the bat and battled with the ball in Friday night’s defeat to Hobart. Nick Hobson has scored 55 runs from three matches, batting down the order at No.7, while prized import Laurie Evans has scored 51 from those games.