Big Bash League: Corey Rocchiccioli, Luke Holt and Matthew Spoors in race for Perth Scorchers list spot

The race for the final Perth Scorchers contract between three local spinners is heating up in the Top End. Corey Rocchiccioli — Western Australia’s reigning Laurie Sawle medallist — is believed to be the front-runner for the role, but would have just a nose ahead of fellow spinners Luke Holt and Matthew Spoors after their performances at the Top End T20 series in Darwin. The Scorchers bounded into the finals of the winter tournament on Friday with a convincing seven-wicket win over Northern Territory Strike. They will play in a semifinal on Sunday morning — with their opponents to be decided by matches on Saturday — and potentially a decider later that day. Rocchiccioli — a staple of WA’s red-ball side through its title threepeat — is the tournament’s most measly bowler with an economy of just 4.86. “My economy piece has probably been my pride and joy this series, to be able to bowl in some powerplays and some surges now, I feel like that’s another string to my bow,” Rocchiccioli said post-match on Friday. “I love coming up here and learning and evolving your game.” It is understood Scorchers staff are strongly leaning towards a spinner for the final spot that can support left-arm orthodox pair Ashton Agar and Cooper Connolly and Rocchiccioli provides them an option to spin the ball the other way. Their preference for a second frontline spinner was firmed up by their fixture, which will send them to spinner-friendly wickets at ENGIE Stadium and Hobart, as well as the Gabba and Marvel Stadium where they favour playing two slow bowlers. Willetton wrist-spinner Luke Holt and Rocchiccioli have both taken six wickets, but Holt has played two less matches and averages an impressive 15.83 with the ball. Meanwhile, veteran West Australian opener Cam Bancroft has made a significant commitment to county cricket, signing on with Gloucestershire for the next two seasons. Bancroft took over as captain of the division two side this season and has been in blistering form as he pushes his case to open the batting for Australia in the Ashes. The 32-year-old averages 46.82 in red-ball cricket this season, including two centuries and five half-centuries. He also scored a match-winning and unbeaten 143 for the club in the one-day cup last week.