Will the Perth Scorchers hold onto their title

The BBL is preparing for another scorcher in 2015/16. The Perth Scorchers are the most successful team to date in BBL history appearing in four of the finals and winning two. After successfully winning the title last season, the question on everyone’s lips is ‘Will they be able to do it again?’

The contest in 2015/16 will see the franchise bid for their third Big Bash League title and it will be interesting to see if the Perth Scorchers can resuscitate the A game that they brought to the competition last year to win it back-to-back. Sportsbet's preview of the final against the Sydney Sixers last season highlights the talents of a relatively unchanged squad that will put the Perth Scorchers as one of the Big Bash Betting favourites during the 2015/2016 competition.

Scorchers coach Justin Langer believes the momentum the team have shown over the past two seasons should be able to carry them to a third title. When he spoke to Yahoo Sports News, he was quoted saying, “The majority of the guys have played one season together. They know how to win together and hopefully that will help us go for that third title.”

Can they fight off the competition?

Adelaide Strikers

Scorchers’ first fixture will see them compete against the Adelaide Strikers who are now being coached by legendary Australian pace bowler Jason Gillespie. Although the team weren’t a significant threat last season, they could pose a threat if Gillespie can manufacture the results that allowed Yorkshire to secure their first title in his first year in charge.

Sydney Sixers

Last year’s finalists and runners-up of the BBL, the Sydney Sixers, will be looking to end the Scorchers’ bid for a third consecutive title. Expect the Sixers to raise their game this season and do their best to extinguish any hope that the Scorchers have in their bid to win the title again.

Brisbane Heat

The Brisbane Heat faced a do-or-die encounter against the Perth Scorchers earlier in 2015. A team that is capable of outclassing the table topping teams, they have shown inconsistency when it comes to winning. Should they manage to find consistent form, they could be the dark horses who threaten to take out the title.

Melbourne Renegades

In their last meeting, the Renegades were crushed by the Scorchers in a 35-run loss. Michael Klinger cracked an unbeaten century to power the Scorchers to a commanding lead that had the Renegades on the back foot. The Scorchers will be hoping for a repeat performance to subdue any potential threat that the Renegades may pose in the 2015/16 competition.

Hobart Hurricanes

The last encounter between the two sides saw the Scorchers come out on top and reach the top of the table standings. The Hurricanes posed a threat in their last match, but fell short as their batmen collapsed to fall 18 runs short. This year’s team will see iconic cricketers Kumar Sangakkara and West Indian Darren Sammy lead the batting charge in the Hurricanes’ hopes for BBL glory in 2016.

Melbourne Stars

In the last meeting between the two teams, the Perth Scorchers were able to clinch an 18-run victory to place them in the BBL final. Good bowling reduced the Melbourne Stars momentum and ultimately sealed their semi-final exit. The presence of former Australian batter David Hussey and England batting star Kevin Pietersen could threaten the Scorchers’ attempt to reach a third consecutive title.

Sydney Thunder

Former Australian batsman Mike Hussey will captain a young Sydney Thunder team that includes South African great Jacques Kallis, Australian Shane Watson, and West Indies international Andre Russell.

Last year the team were bundled out due to a class performance by Kevin Pietersen, but are hopeful in the wake of the new season with new signing Clint McKay who will contribute to the Thunder’s bowling attack. They have beaten the Scorchers before. The Scorchers will need to exercise caution when they face them. Highlights from their last encounter can be seen below.

The Scorchers can retain their title, but they will need to fight off stiff competition. Their squad is talented and the capability for them to take out the title is theirs should they maintain the form that saw them take out the title in the previous BBL seasons.

Can they do it again? If they believe in themselves, I’m sure they can!