Scorchers snare Jordan to complete BBL|09 roster

The personnel changes have continued at the Perth Scorchers, with England fast bowler Chris Jordan joining countryman Liam Livingstone in signing on for BBL|09.

The three-time BBL champions have normally been conservative when it comes to player movement, but have been relatively active during this off-season after finishing at the bottom of the ladder last summer.

The additions of Jordan and Livingstone add to the signings of veteran leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed and left-hander Kurtis Patterson from the Sydney Thunder, while Scorchers mainstays Shaun Marsh, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Hilton Cartwright have all departed and Michael Klinger has retired.

Perth will also be without left-arm quick Jason Behrendorff this summer, who will miss the entire season due to back surgery, while fellow paceman Andrew Tye is also expected to miss the bulk of the tournament due to an elbow problem.

Jordan has signed for the entire season, including finals, making the Scorchers his third BBL club having previously played for the Adelaide Strikers and Sydney Thunder.

The Englishman has played a total of 82 times for his country, including 43 T20s, the last of which was a thrilling Super Over finish against New Zealand in Auckland, where Jordan starred with both bat and ball to secure the win for his side.

A pacey right-armer and powerful lower-order hitter, Jordan is also regarded as one of the best fielders in the world, particularly off his own bowling. He’s also taken some spectacular grabs fielding in the slips and on the boundary during his international career.

"He’s got great experience in T20 cricket and will do a terrific job with ball, particularly his skills at the death," said Scorchers coach Adam Voges.

"He also provides the all-round package with athleticism in the field and strong batting skills which will be great for the fans.

"Chris is very professional and will fit in well in the Scorchers set up, I haven’t heard a bad word about him."

Born in Barbados, Jordan is close friends with England star and Hobart Hurricanes quick Jofra Archer, whom he plays with at English county side Sussex.

Given his previous experience in the BBL, he said he was looking forward to being on the home side for matches in front of the typically parochial Perth crowd.

"I know from experience when the opposition hit a boundary in the stadium there’s no noise, but when the Scorchers are up and about and doing well everyone’s backing them to the hills," he said.

"I’m looking forward to having some of that on my side."

Perth Scorchers Squad: Mitch Marsh (c), Fawad Ahmed, Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Nick Hobson, Josh Inglis, Chris Jordan (OS), Matt Kelly, Liam Livingstone (OS), Joel Paris, Kurtis Patterson, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Sam Whiteman.