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Scorchers brace for Christmas on the road

3 minute read

The Perth Scorchers' hopes of being able to host most of their home games at Optus Stadium are fading because of Western Australia's tough border stance.

ASHTON AGAR.
ASHTON AGAR. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Perth Scorchers players are bracing themselves to spend Christmas on the road, but spinner Ashton Agar says a lack of home comforts won't be used as an excuse this BBL season.

The Scorchers open their campaign at home to the Brisbane Heat on Wednesday, and they are also scheduled to host the Hobart Hurricanes at Optus Stadium on December 20.

But given that second match in Perth will come after trips to Sydney and Hobart, there's fears Western Australia's border situation could thwart those plans.

The Scorchers are also scheduled to take on the Renegades in Melbourne on December 22.

The current fixture would heavily compromise the Scorchers' hopes of making it back for Christmas and hosting the Renegades in a Boxing Day blockbuster at Optus Stadium.

Agar said the players are preparing themselves for the news that they will be spending Christmas away from home.

"It's sort of looking that way I guess," Agar said.

"You never know what can happen, it changes so quickly. But if it is on the road, we'll all get together, we'll have a really nice time.

"The border situation has made things difficult, but we've had that for two years now, the guys are used to it.

"We won't be using that as an excuse (for poor results). I think families are going to be able to travel."

Perth is also set to miss out on hosting the fifth Ashes Test, with talk the match will be moved to either Hobart, Canberra, Sydney, or Melbourne.

Agar understands why England's players may be reluctant to play in Perth under strict quarantine conditions and without their families.

"I think I've done six stints of quarantine now of two weeks. We've had good conditions, but I think every one is pretty over that now," Agar said.

"It's a fine balance, because you have to look after fans, but you also have to look after the people who go out there and play the game.

"I'd totally understand why they (England's players) wouldn't want to do that, and I think that's absolutely fair enough."

Agar, who missed out on a berth in the XI for Australia's T20 World Cup final win over New Zealand, says the late addition of England international Tymal Mills to the Scorchers' squad was a huge positive.

"He can bowl 150km/h and then bowl a disgusting slower ball - horrible to face actually," Agar said.

"He's going to be a huge asset to us."

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