Former Stars quick Lance Morris ‘touch and go’ for early Perth Scorchers debut as bowling opportunities beckon

Higher honours, injury and quarantine stints could pave the way for new Perth Scorchers recruit Lance Morris to make a statement in the early period of the Big Bash League. But the tearaway quick admits he is “touch and go” for the opening rounds of the tournament, after a side-strain which forced him to sit out during Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield clash with Tasmania last week. With Jhye Richardson in Brisbane and firming for a possible test return, fresh signing Tymal Mills in quarantine and fellow English import Brydon Carse pulling out of the tournament, bowling spots for the first batch of games are up for grabs. “The physios and doctors seem to think it’s a three to four week injury and I’m almost two weeks in now,” Morris said. “I’m probably touch and go for the first few games, but once I get a few solid sessions under my belt bowling at 100 per cent intensity then I will be available for selection. “I’d just love to get at least one game at Optus, that would be nice.” Morris ran laps during the Scorchers’ intra-squad trial game at the WACA on Wednesday, but bowled in the nets for the first time on Friday. He said he expects to bowl at full speed for the first time “within a week” as Wednesday’s season opener against the Brisbane Heat looms large. The Dunsborough product moved from rival club Melbourne Stars to the Scorchers during the winter and now looks set to fill an important void in the bowling group once fit. “Having someone like Jhye in the test squad sort of opens up a spot for everyone,” Morris said. “Squad depth is going to get tested anyway, like every BBL campaign, because there are lots of games that are back to back or quite close together. “There will be times where someone needs to be rested or someone has a bit of a niggle and that’s just where little opportunities will open up. “We have got a pretty good bowling group so hopefully everyone stays reasonably fit.” The injury occurred on day two of the Shield clash in Hobart, but Morris said his situation could have been even more dire, if he hadn’t stopped bowling straight away. “I pulled the pin quite early because I knew what I had done, I have done side strains before,” Morris said. “I’m glad I did because if you try and push through that sort of injury you can make it a lot worse.” The Scorchers begin their season against the Heat at Optus Stadium on Wednesday, before travelling to Sydney to face the Adelaide Strikers on Saturday and returning for their second, and possibly final Optus Stadium appearance against Hobart on December 20.