Big Bash League: Perth Scorchers set to unleash surprise debutant Luke Holt against Adelaide Strikers

The West Australian can reveal Perth Scorchers have pulled a selection shock for their crunch east coast trip, with untried spinner Luke Holt picked over Corey Rocchiccioli. Rocchiccioli signed a replacement player contract with the Scorchers last month and was the 12th man for their dramatic loss to Melbourne Renegades on Wednesday. But he was not at Perth Airport as the team departed for their all-important two-game road stand against Adelaide Strikers on Sunday and the Renegades on Thursday, with leg-spinner Holt part of the squad to make the trip. The West Australian understands Holt, a star for Willetton in Premier Cricket, is set to sign a replacement player deal of his own ahead of the Strikers game. A star for WA’s underage sides in recent years, Holt has long been a player of interest to WA cricket’s brains trust and has been training with both WA and the Scorchers this summer. As expected, veterans Joel Paris (groin) and Ashton Agar (calf) did not board the plane as they battle to overcome injuries. Star wicketkeeper Josh Inglis is also set to join up with the squad while they are on the road, with his Test commitments for Australia now at an end for the summer. Despite their own injury battles during the loss to the Renegades, Australia’s white-ball captain Mitch Marsh (finger) and international stars Finn Allen (finger) and Laurie Evans (hamstring) were among the 13 players to make the trip. Evans kept in Allen’s place due to the New Zealander’s finger concern on Wednesday night, but the return of Inglis means the two part-time wicketkeepers may not be called on with the gloves for the rest of the season. Sam Fanning is set to act as batting cover for across the two games, with the left-hander — who managed 31 against the Strikers at the top of the order in Allen’s absence last week — also boarding the plane bound for Adelaide. Veteran seamer Matt Kelly, who is yet to be called upon so far this season, was another player who did not make the trip, with Jhye Richardson, Mahli Beardman, David Payne and Brody Couch the four fast bowlers taken.