Perth Scorchers' English import, David Payne, has publicly volunteered to tackle his team's significant struggles with bowling at the death, declaring he is ready to shoulder the responsibility of the final over if required.
Scorchers' Uncharacteristic Bowling Collapses
Uncharacteristic troubles in closing out innings have been central to the Scorchers' three losses in the current BBL season. The issues were starkly highlighted in several key matches. The bowling attack conceded a record-breaking total of 258 runs to the Brisbane Heat. Furthermore, they gave away 33 runs in the final 15 balls during a defeat to the Hobart Hurricanes and repeated that costly tally across the last three overs in a low-scoring, controversial loss to the Melbourne Renegades on Wednesday, 7 January 2026.
In his first appearance for Perth since arriving from the UAE's ILT20 competition, Payne returned figures of 1-23 from his four overs against the Renegades. However, he conceded 17 of those runs across the 17th and penultimate overs of the tense match.
Payne's Versatility and Readiness for Any Over
Ahead of the team's crucial two-game road trip—facing the Adelaide Strikers on Sunday, 11 January, and a rematch with the Renegades on Thursday, 15 January—the left-arm seamer emphasised his adaptability. Payne stated he prides himself on being able to bowl effectively during any phase of the game.
"I'll always say whatever is needed of me, I'll try and do," Payne said. "The first game, speaking to AT (captain Ashton Turner) and V (coach Adam Voges), it was very much just 'be ready for any over of the game, whether that's the top, the middle or the death'."
He elaborated on the strategic importance of the penultimate over, noting, "At times in cricket, they talk about the 19th being almost more important because if you can keep that one restricted as much as possible, you can go after the 20th a bit more. The other night, with such a low total, every over was important. Whatever over the skipper needs me to bowl, I'll be ready."
New-Look Attack and Exciting Pace Prospects
While Payne was part of the Scorchers' championship-winning side in 2022-23, the current bowling group has undergone a major transformation. The departures of Jason Behrendorff and Andrew Tye, combined with Matt Kelly being out of favour, have reshaped the attack.
Payne expressed particular excitement about the potential of emerging fast bowlers Mahli Beardman and Brody Couch. "Seeing them in the nets, seeing them live, they look like they've got some good air-speed," he observed. "It's very exciting to have that, a good mix of variation and pace in your attack. I think with those two, we've got some high-pace bowlers who can come in and really ruffle up some batters, which I think compliments my style of bowling as well."
Familiar Foes in Adelaide Strikers
The Scorchers' immediate challenge is the Adelaide Strikers on Sunday, who boast a powerful batting line-up anchored by the BBL's all-time leading run-scorer, Chris Lynn, and two-time player of the tournament, Matt Short. Payne, having played for the Strikers during the 2023/24 season, believes he is well-equipped for the contest.
"I'll know their game-plans pretty well," Payne said. "They'll know what I'll come with, so it'll be a good match-up and one I'm looking forward to." His inside knowledge could prove vital as the Scorchers aim to arrest their slide and rediscover their trademark bowling efficiency at the death.
