Amidst his return from a rigorous tour of India, all-rounder Aaron Hardie is geared up to bolster Perth Scorchers’ quest for a hat-trick of titles by focusing on enhancing his bowling prowess. The upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season marks a crucial moment for Hardie, who enters fully fit for the first time in his six-year BBL career.
“I was telling the coaching staff that this is the first BBL season that I have started fully fit,” Hardie shared with ESPNcricinfo. “The body’s really good. I’m excited.”
His fitness and readiness present a formidable challenge to opponents aiming to thwart the Scorchers’ bid for a historic title three-peat. Last season, despite a groin injury affecting his bowling, Hardie earned a spot in the team of the tournament as a specialist batter, tallying an impressive 460 runs at an average of 41.81 and a strike-rate of 141.
The 24-year-old Hardie, a linchpin for the Scorchers, is set to occupy the No. 3 batting position while offering flexibility as a bowling option for skipper Ashton Turner. His towering 6 foot 4 frame complements his sharp seam bowling, capable of reaching close to 140kph with swing—a strength he intends to leverage this season.
“I’m looking forward to being able to bowl my four overs [in the BBL],” he expressed. “We have some amazing new ball bowlers in Dorff [Jason Behrendorff] and Richo [Jhye Richardson], but I can help them out if needed and can do a job in the middle-latter overs. A lot of things will be match-up dependent, but I think my flexibility is a strength.”
Balancing a first-class batting average of 43.10 and a bowling average of 27.74, Hardie epitomizes a genuine all-rounder. He acknowledges the importance of maintaining equilibrium between his batting and bowling, striving to contribute equally in both domains.
His T20 batting evolution, from a lower-order position to anchoring the No. 3 spot, showcases his adaptability and ability to shift gears when needed. Additionally, his experience batting alongside Turner in pressure situations has honed his expertise in handling tight chases.
However, challenges arose during Australia’s recent T20 series against India. Hardie faced difficulties against quality spinners but has diligently worked on refining his sweep shots to counter them effectively.
Amidst tough encounters, particularly against India’s batting powerhouse, Hardie displayed resilience, bouncing back from setbacks to make crucial impacts with the ball, further solidifying his position in Australia’s cricketing landscape.
While the focus ahead of the first Test between Australia and Pakistan revolves around seasoned all-rounders like Marsh and Green, Hardie, having steadily climbed the ranks, aims to apply pressure on the national selectors.
As the upcoming BBL season looms, expectations soar for Hardie, who aims to consolidate his position within the Scorchers’ formidable lineup and continue their quest for BBL dominance.
“I think it is really nice we have a lot of the same players, coaches, and staff,” he remarked optimistically. “We’re excited for the season and we want to win another title.
