T20 Max Preview - Sunshine Coast

Men 

Coach: Brad Wigney 

Captain: TBC 

Home Ground: Kerry Emery Oval 

2023 Placing: 10th  

The Scorchers men have recruited well to complement their young list. With plenty of local talent, the injection of some quality interstate might be all they need to go to the next level and push the competition heavyweights. Renegade Mackenzie Harvey returns, his batting vital to their top order after being among the leading scorers last season. Jay Lenton also returns to the Scorchers. The Thunder keeper batter is a great addition, his in-game coaching almost worth as much as his own output. Returning talents Oliver Bembrick, Tom Engelbrecht, Nick Selman, Brandon Schultz and Chad Soper will again be at the core of the Scorchers side. 

Players to Watch 

Mackenzie Harvey was electric last season, averaging 89.75 and scoring two centuries. The Renegades keeper batter can play all around the wicket. He has a somewhat surprising power-hitting game, while also utilising the full repertoire of paddle sweeps. This means when he gets going, he is near impossible to stop. 

Chad Soper is a veteran for his side and crucial to their performance. The Papua New Guinean international has been able to continue adding to his skillset to age like a fine wine, catching the eye for PNG at the recent T20 World Cup. Not super-fast, his style will complement the rest of the pace attack and could prove a real challenge for batters’ rhythm. Watch out for mistimed shots and catches in front of the wicket. 

Women 

Coach: Chad Soper 

Captain: TBC 

Home Ground: Kerry Emery Oval 

2023 Placing: 6th 

The Scorchers are the dark horse of the women’s competition. With excellent interstate and rapidly emerging local talent, the Sunshine Coast will be quietly confident they can be one of the top sides this season. Australian quick Stella Campbell is a great recruit, the tall fast bowler one of the country’s best. Left-handed all-rounder Alisha Bates also offers a unique and valuable skillset to the team profile. 18-year-old Heat and Fire fast bowler Lucy Hamilton will be looking to swing the ball and show she can thrive against the best. Fellow 18-year-old Bonnie Berry is another young gun who has just signed with the Heat and Queensland. The Emerald product has a classic outswinger and will continue to gain confidence as she develops. 21-year-old Hurricane Ruth Johnston provides strong off-spin and classy batting for the Scorchers. QC Academy player Tarah Staines is another top-order batter and off-spinner, adding to the Scorchers' depth in top-shelf players. Thunder batters Claire Moore and Anika Learoyd are also great additions. Players to Watch 

Mikhayla Wrigley is seriously good. Only 20 and already a two-time Kath Smith Medalist, Wrigley was recently rewarded with a Heat and Fire contract. Already in her short career, the keeper-batter has shown her ability to perform consistently is second to none. Expect her to only get better, she’s a player to watch now and into the future. 

Stella Campbell is one of the best fast bowling talents in the country. Having already made her Test debut at 22, she is poised for a continued rise and plenty of matches in the green and gold. A classically tall fast bowler, she has good pace and can move the ball