After a strong winter, Strikers star Liam Scott is determined to carry that momentum into BBL|16 as the Strikers gear up for another big season.
Scott made his international debut earlier this year in a one-day match against Bangladesh in Dhaka, ticking off a childhood dream.
“It was pretty cool. It’s a lot of kids' dreams to play sport for their country. Mine growing up was to play cricket for Australia, and to say I've done that now is a pretty awesome feeling, not just for me, but for my family as well.”
Scott returned to Adelaide with valuable experience and a fresh perspective gained from spending time alongside senior players, taking lessons from some of the game’s most seasoned professionals.
“There were so many experienced guys on that tour. I had Kezza [Alex Carey] there, which helps, I obviously played a lot of cricket with him now back here in Adelaide.”
“You just sort of take it in your stride, there's little bits and pieces about your game that you try and pick up from others as well as discussions with coaches and other experienced players, and you just get to learn so much in different conditions.”
Now, his focus is firmly on backing up a strong individual season and helping the Strikers to success in BBL|16.
“I think we're in a really good spot. We've signed some players that can play crucial roles for the team.”
Scott produced a career-best BBL season last summer, scoring 310 runs, Team of the Tournament honours and earning the Strikers’ MVP award. He believes the squad has depth to mount a serious challenge this year.
“We've got all the attributes and all the players to be able to have real success.” He said, “It's just more being able to put it all together on the field.”
With competition for international call ups heating up, Scott knows consistent performances in Strikers colours will be vital to staying in the international conversation.
“I can only control what I can control, and whatever that looks like back home in Adelaide.” He said. “Hopefully, a few more runs, a few more wickets back here.”
With tickets now on-sale for all of the Strikers fixtures, one game stands out on the calendar.
The Strikers’ New Year’s Eve clash at Adelaide Oval has become one of the league's marquee fixtures, with big crowds, fireworks and a post-match show from The Presets set to headline the celebrations.
Scott was quick to explain why the occasion means so much to players.
“I think if you ask most people in the domestic circuit, they'd say the New Year's Eve game is one they want to be involved in,”
“The atmosphere is absolutely unreal. It's buzzing here at AO. Adelaide Oval does it so, so well. There's just a great vibe around the ground and you get 40,000 here and it's absolutely pumping.”
“So, for me, it's probably the game that I look forward to the most, especially as a Strikers player.”
This year’s edition will be even bigger, with Australian electronic music duo The Presets headlining the festivities, performing immediately after the match to the huge Big Bash crowd, before relocating to the Lindsay Head Terrace on Level 5 of the Riverbank Stand and stepping behind the DJ decks to ring in the New Year at a separately ticketed after-match party, the Post Match Bash.
Overlooking the River Torrens, the venue offers the perfect vantage point to enjoy South Australia's spectacular New Year's Eve fireworks display. Fans can purchase tickets to the New Year's Eve Post Match Bash via Ticketek. SACA members can attend all Adelaide Strikers home matches as part of their membership and can purchase tickets to the Post Match Bash at exclusive SACA member pricing.
Tickets to the Post Match Bash do not include entry to the match and must be purchased separately.