Perth Scorchers on Tuesday announced the signing of England batter Zak Crawley for the full BBL 2026-27 season, including the finals. The 28-year-old Kent cricketer has signed a one-year deal with the Perth Scorchers.
The move to sign Crawley comes after Kiwi power-hitter Finn Allen, who played a pivotal role in the Scorchers’ title win last season, moved to Melbourne Stars on a three-year deal. Crawley therefore has big shoes to fill at the top of the order for the Scorchers, and a good run in BBL|16 could help boost his T20 market value around the world, as he does not have an impressive track record in franchise cricket.
Crawley’s one-year contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board is set to expire on September 30, 2026, making his latest signing with the Perth Scorchers a timely boost.
Zak Crawley’s Numbers for England
Crawley, who transformed himself into an explosive batter in Test cricket during the Bazball era, has not played international cricket since January this year.
In 64 Test matches for England, he has scored 3,586 runs at an average of 31.18. He has also featured in nine ODIs for the Three Lions, scoring 205 runs with a best score of 58*.
Naturally an aggressive stroke-maker with the gift of timing, Crawley’s ability to find the boundary could help him adapt to different conditions in the BBL.
Zak Crawley Had a Mediocre Year in T20 Cricket
Zak Crawley’s signing is a bold move from the Perth Scorchers, with the batter not enjoying a particularly strong run in T20 cricket in 2026.
While captaining Sunrisers Leeds in The Hundred 2026, Crawley managed only 169 runs in eight innings, including a solitary half-century. He also scored 259 runs in 12 innings for Kent in the T20 Blast 2026.
Zak Crawley Returns to BBL After Three Seasons
Zak Crawley has previously played a couple of seasons in the BBL, and his association with the Perth Scorchers is not new. He represented the club in the 2023-24 season, scoring 155 runs in six matches.
He also featured for Hobart Hurricanes in the 2022-23 season, scoring 185 runs in eight matches.
Following Crawley’s signing, Scorchers general manager Kade Harvey said:
“Our top order was critical to our success in BBL|15, and it’s exciting to add Zak (Crawley) into the mix alongside the likes of Mitch Marsh, Cooper Connolly and Aaron Hardie,” Harvey said in a statement.
“Zak made a terrific impression during his time with the club in BBL|13, and we have no doubt he will become a favourite among our members and fans.”
