Zak Crawley Returns to Perth Scorchers as Finn Allen Replacement for BBL|16

The Perth Scorchers have moved quickly to strengthen their batting line-up after losing New Zealand’s explosive opener Finn Allen, signing England batter Zak Crawley for the upcoming KFC Big Bash League 2026-27 season.

Crawley has agreed to a one-year deal with the defending champions and, importantly for Perth, will be available for the entire BBL|16 campaign, including the finals.

Crawley Returns to Perth

This will not be Crawley’s first experience with the Scorchers.

His best performance came against his former team, the Hobart Hurricanes, when he smashed an unbeaten 65 in a nine-wicket victory at Optus Stadium.

Crawley had previously made his Big Bash debut with the Hobart Hurricanes during the 2022-23 season, scoring 185 runs in eight matches.

Finn Allen’s Departure Opened the Door

Perth needed a replacement after Finn Allen decided to leave the club and join the Melbourne Stars for BBL|16.

Allen was one of the key players in Perth’s record-breaking sixth BBL championship last season. He finished BBL|15 as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 466 runs, while also setting a competition record with 38 sixes.

The New Zealand opener has signed a three-year deal with Melbourne, leaving the Scorchers with a significant gap at the top of their batting order.

Scorchers Back Crawley’s Experience

Perth Scorchers general manager Kade Harvey said the team’s top order had been crucial to its success and expressed confidence that Crawley could fit into the batting group alongside Mitch Marsh, Cooper Connolly and Aaron Hardie.

Crawley also brings considerable international experience. He has played 64 Tests for England, scoring 3,586 runs with five centuries. His most memorable Test innings include a spectacular 189 during the 2023 Ashes series.

More recently, Crawley played for Sunrisers Leeds in The Hundred, where he scored 169 runs during the campaign.

Full Availability Is a Major Plus

One of the biggest advantages of the signing is Crawley’s availability. The English opener has committed to the whole BBL|16 season, including the finals.

That gives Perth greater certainty at the top of the order as the club begins its title defence.

Crawley will also become the second English international on the Scorchers’ BBL|16 roster, joining leg-spinner Calvin Harrison.

After losing the destructive Finn Allen, Perth has turned to a familiar face with international experience. Now Crawley will have the opportunity to make his second stint in Western Australia a much bigger success—and help the Scorchers chase another Big Bash title.