Forget about merely aiming for respect; Perth Scorchers coach Justin Langer wants his side to come away with the ultimate prize at this year’s Twenty20 Champions League in India.
The Scorchers failed to win a game at last year’s tournament, while off-field misadventures dogged their failed campaign in 2012.
But an air of confidence is brewing among the Scorchers, especially after they broke WA cricket’s 10-year title drought last summer with victory over the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League final.
Indian heavyweights Chennai Super Kings, Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knights are the frontrunners to win this year’s Champions League, with the Scorchers facing a tough task just to make it past the group stage.
But Langer doesn’t want his side to fear anyone.
“Our goal is to go there and win the Champions League,” Langer declared on Wednesday.
“It’s the Australian way to look to win every game of cricket we play.
“The NSW team won it a few years ago, and that’s a good trend to follow.
“We’re massive underdogs, and that’s not a bad thing to be for an Aussie.”
Shaun Marsh’s serious elbow injury, the absence of Alfonso Thomas and the retirement of captain Simon Katich have left a massive void in the Scorchers’ line-up.
But in Mitch Marsh, the Scorchers possess an all-rounder capable of tearing games apart.
Marsh missed last year’s tournament with a hamstring injury, but the 22-year-old has been in the form of his life recently, smacking scores of 86 not out and 89 in Australia’s recent one-day tour of Africa.
Langer is hopeful fellow all-rounder Nathan Coulter-Nile, who underwent hamstring surgery on June 24, will be given the green light to play.
“We are just ticking the last few boxes at the moment with Cricket Australia,” Langer said.
“We are very hopeful he’ll be on the plane with us. He’s had a fantastic rehabilitation on his hamstring.
“He’s very important to the balance of our side.
“If he doesn’t play the first game, he’ll definitely play the second, third, and or fourth game.”
The Scorchers first match is on September 20 against South African outfit the Dolphins.
Scorchers squad: Ashton Agar, Yasir Arafat, Michael Beer, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Brad Hogg, Simon Mackin, Mitch Marsh, Joel Paris, Craig Simmons, Ashton Turner, Adam Voges, Sam Whiteman.
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