The Perth Scorchers cemented themselves as the Big Bash League’s most successful franchise after snaring a record sixth title on Sunday.
But amid the celebrations, skipper Ashton Turner’s thoughts were with injured pace man Joel Paris.
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Paris, who is yet to win a title after previously missing out in 2014, 2015 and 2017, played a key role for the Scorchers in the first half of the season before a groin injury derailed his charge.
In his seven games this summer, he claimed 11 wickets at an average of 16.72 before injury struck on January 7.
Despite being named in the 15-man squad earlier in the week, the tough call was made to keep Paris out of Sunday’s title-winning side.
“This is one of the really difficult parts of professional sport – he bowled Wednesday (but) pulled up sore. He tried to bowl on Friday and it was tough to watch,” Turner said.
“He was trying his heart out.
“I think he knew deep down that he wasn’t going to be able to perform at the standards he sets for himself.
“He was so limited. For him to still come into the conversation for selection, we nearly took him in on one leg.”
Instead, Paris joined the likes of injured teammates Ashton Agar, Matt Kelly, Joel Curtis and Lance Morris back on the sidelines.
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“There’s a lot of guys who would have just about been walk up starts … we’re grateful to be in the 11,” Turner said.
“It’s a brutal game at times.
“At times we’re on a rollercoaster so when we do have success, it’s important to show gratitude and appreciate those moments.”
Sunday night’s six-wicket win over the Sydney Sixers is Perth’s third title in the space of just five seasons.
After restricting the Sixers to 10-133 at Optus Stadium, the Scorchers got home with 15 balls to spare.
Turner described the victory as “icing on the cake” to what’s been a successful BBL15 campaign where the side lost just three games.
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“To be able to hold the trophy up in the air is really satisfying,” he said.
“Eleven of us got the opportunity to be on the field tonight – but we know as is professional sport, it takes a much bigger cohort to allow success like this to happen.
“We knew that it was going to take one partnership really to break the back of this chase – and we got that with the first wicket partnership (of Mitch Marsh and Finn Allen).”
Perth’s victory becomes just the third time the team batting second has claimed the title, while they extend the streak of first-place finishers to champions to six straight years.
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