Perth Scorchers fast bowler Jhye Richardson has delivered a heartfelt tribute to the club's dedicated fanbase in the aftermath of their historic sixth Big Bash League championship triumph. Richardson emphasised that the players deeply appreciate the significance of their supporters' unwavering loyalty, which has become a hallmark of the team's success.
Record-Breaking Crowds Fuel Scorchers' Success
The Scorchers secured their sixth BBL title with a commanding six-wicket victory over arch-rivals Sydney Sixers in The Final on Sunday. The match was played in front of a spectacular sea of orange at Optus Stadium, with an impressive crowd of 55,018 fans in attendance. This turnout set a new record for the largest cricket crowd ever witnessed in Western Australia, underscoring the region's passion for the sport.
Throughout the season, the Perth Scorchers were the undisputed leaders in BBL attendance figures. A total of 272,626 fans passed through the gates across the team's seven home games in Perth. This resulted in an average crowd of 38,947 per match, which was nearly 9,000 more than the second-placed Brisbane Heat, highlighting the Scorchers' dominant fan engagement.
Thriving on Home Support
Richardson explained that the knowledge of having a parochial home crowd firmly in their corner gives the players a significant psychological boost. "It's something that you can thrive off. WA fans are so passionate and we love them, we love playing in front of our home crowd," he said.
"We know they support us really well and you can see that by looking around the stadium and see the wave of orange. All the merchandise that's sold, all the support that we get from people, even today, driving down the coast and driving around, you've still got kids and families wearing Scorchers kit and supporting us, it's awesome to see," Richardson added, illustrating the widespread community support.
Captain's Call to Soak in the Atmosphere
The star bowler also revealed that captain Ashton Turner had encouraged his side to harness the electric atmosphere at Optus Stadium to their advantage ahead of both The Qualifier on Tuesday and The Final on Sunday. "In the team huddle before we started warming up, AT made a couple of mentions, just about taking a moment to soak in how cool it is and how amazing it is to play in front of 50-plus thousand people, who are all there to support us," Richardson shared.
This strategic focus on embracing the home crowd's energy clearly paid dividends, as the Scorchers delivered a clinical performance to clinch the championship. The combination of stellar on-field talent and unparalleled fan support continues to be a winning formula for the Perth-based franchise, solidifying their status as one of Australian cricket's most successful and beloved teams.
