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Big Bash League: Optus Stadium finals advantage ‘second to none’, says import Jason Roy

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Jordan McArdleThe West Australian
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Jason Roy is keen to return to the Scorchers next summer.
Camera IconJason Roy is keen to return to the Scorchers next summer. Credit: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Perth Scorchers import Jason Roy believes the advantage of having at least one home final at Optus Stadium is “second to none”.

The Scorchers will finish in the top-two and can claim the minor premiership off reigning champions Sydney Sixers by knocking off Brisbane Heat in Adelaide on Tuesday.

Top spot will mean a home ‘qualifier’ final in Perth on Saturday and another in the main event on February 6 if they win that.

Roy highlighted just how important a return to the Scorchers’ Burswood fortress would be after their perfect 4-0 record there this summer.

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The World Cup-winning Englishman felt the last run home games sparked their stunning turn-around from cellar dwellers to ladder leaders.

Cricket Australia will confirm finals fixtures after Tuesday’s triple-header and early indications are every team which earns a home final can play at their actual ground rather than a neutral venue.

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“Considering our form there, that would be incredible to play in front of our home crowd again,” Roy said.

“To at least get one final there, it’s some nasty travelling but I think the boys will be able to deal with that.

“The boys know how to compete there. They know their roles really well there and the bowlers know exactly where the ball needed to be bowled which makes a huge difference.

“The crowd plays a huge part in it. We were obviously down in the dumps a little bit going into our home stretch but you saw how the crowd lifted us and got us onto that hot streak.

“Playing at that stadium and in front of those supporters is second to none.”

Roy has scored more runs (311 at average of 34.56) in his first season at the Scorchers than the previous three in the Big Bash League at the Sydney Thunder (18 runs at nine in 2014-15) and Sixers (154 runs at 15.4 in 2016-17 and 17-18).

The 30-year-old said he would “love” to return to Perth next summer after an enjoyable debut tournament in orange.

“I’d love that, if that opportunity comes knocking,” Roy said.

“I’ve absolutely loved it here and the guys have got around me really nicely and looked after me, so I’ve felt right at home.”

The Scorchers will be aiming for a ninth win in 10 starts against the Heat in the first of a Tuesday triple-header, starting at 9.30am WA time.

In-form New Zealander, who earned man-of-the-match honours for his 82 in the previous battle between the two sides last Tuesday, is 12 runs away from breaking the record for the most runs by a Scorcher in a single tournament.

Munro has hit 404 runs for BBL10 at an average of 36.73, including four half-centuries, 11 shy of English opener Liam Livingstone’s record of 415 set last summer.

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