Matt Roller

CloseMatt Roller is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. He tweets at @mroller98 and 

Alex Malcolm

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Feb 24, 2026, 09:00 PM

Simon Katich will deputise for Adam Voges as Perth Scorchers head coach for the Global Super League in July, ESPNcricinfo has learned.

Scorchers will travel to Guyana for the five-team invitational tournament after winning the Big Bash League this year. But Voges, who has overseen three title-winning BBL seasons as head coach, will be unavailable owing to prior commitments as Trent Rockets assistant coach in the Hundred.

Katich, who captained Scorchers to their maiden BBL title in 2013-14, has been involved with the team in the role of a list management consultant for several years. He has extensive experience as a franchise coach, most recently spending five years in charge at Manchester Originals in the Hundred.

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The GSL, which launched in 2024, will run from July 23 until August 1 this year, clashing directly with the Hundred but fitting into the short window between Major League Cricket and the Caribbean Premier League in the American season.

ILT20 champions Desert Vipers are also due to compete, along with hosts Guyana Amazon Warriors and two further teams whose identities are not yet confirmed. ESPNcricinfo understands that SA20 champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape were invited but are unlikely to compete.

ESPNcricinfo understands that Scorchers will attempt to field the strongest side they can, but with several players set to be involved in either the Hundred or Australia’s Test series against Bangladesh at home in mid-August, there will be various personnel challenges to work through.

They are also expected to compete as ‘Perth Scorchers XI’ for contractual reasons, as Hobart Hurricanes did last year. Hurricanes did not have Australia T20 players Nathan Ellis and Tim David available last year as both were held out of the tournament to prepare for Australia’s T20 tour of the Caribbean.

The league may also double as a networking opportunity for Scorchers and Western Australia Cricket Association officials. Cricket Australia is strongly considering privatising the BBL by selling stakes in teams – as the ECB did with the Hundred last year – and Scorchers’ on-field success and ability to draw huge crowds in Perth make them an attractive asset to potential investors.

The GSL has been backed by the Guyanese government, though it has faced criticism from climate activists as a “sportswashing vehicle” due to its title sponsorship by oil giant ExxonMobil.