Big Bash: Perth Scorchers fast bowler Tymal Mills can’t go to WA for their next game

Perth has already lost an Ashes Test, and now the hardline border stance is even keeping a Scorchers star out of the state.

Tymal Mills is locked out of Perth. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images

When English T20 star Tymal Mills signed with the Scorchers for the BBL he probably didn’t think he’d never actually get to play in Perth.

But that looms as a likely scenario for the fast bowler who is locked out of Western Australia and won’t get to repeat the heroics of his opening appearance for the BBL ladder leaders on Tuesday night.

The 29-year-old quick took 3-23 from four overs – his best BBL figures – in Perth‘s 53-run win over the Hurricanes in Hobart but won’t travel with his teammates back to WA for their return clash on December 20.

He said it was “all a bit complicated” but Mills, who arrived in Australia a week ago, will next hook up with his teammates in Melbourne because of WA’s hardline border stance.

With the Scorchers then expected to play the bulk of the BBL on the road, Mills’ most likely opportunity to play in WA may come in the finals.

“It’s all a bit complicated. I got held at the border (in Hobart) as well because I didn’t have the right pass or something,” Mills said after Tuesday’s game.

“It’s all very different to how things are in the UK at the moment.

“I‘m not allowed to travel over with the guys to WA unfortunately, which is a shame because I would have loved to play at Optus Stadium.”

Tymal Mills celebrates the wicket of Ben McDermott at Blundstone Arena. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images

The win was Mills’ first appearance for the undefeated Scorchers, coming after a Twenty20 World Cup campaign for England that was cut short due to injury.

He said he would spend some time in Hobart, where he played for the Hurricanes in the 2017/18 BBL season, and rendezvous with the team in Melbourne.

Mills said he was determined to give the Scorchers a better return than his eight wickets from 10 matches with the Hurricanes.

“I definitely want to right those wrongs but it’s only one game,” he said.

“There’s still plenty more to go. I’m not going to think I’ve cracked it … T20 cricket is a very fickle game.”

Originally published as Big Bash: Perth Scorchers fast bowler Tymal Mills can’t go to WA for their next game