England batsman Zak Crawley has signed with the Perth Scorchers for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season, set to take place this winter in Australia. Crawley previously represented the Scorchers during the 2023-24 campaign.

The 28-year-old’s return to the Perth-based franchise follows a challenging period in his international career. During the recent Ashes series, Crawley was dismissed for zero runs in both innings of the first Test and was subsequently dropped from the England squad at the conclusion of the series. His decision to join the Scorchers means he will miss the concurrent England Test tour of South Africa, effectively ruling out any immediate return to the national Test side.

Perth Scorchers general manager Kade Harvey expressed optimism about Crawley’s signing, highlighting the importance of a strong opening order during the previous BBL season. Harvey noted that Crawley had made a positive impression during his earlier stint with the team and anticipated that he would quickly become a fan favorite among the franchise’s supporters.

The move underscores the growing trend of England players participating in overseas T20 leagues, which offer both competitive opportunities and career rejuvenation outside the international Test arena. Crawley’s inclusion will bolster the Scorchers’ batting line-up as they aim to defend their title in the highly competitive Big Bash League.