- Western Australian showcase events are being held in Mumbai and Delhi, putting WA’s investment, tourism, and creative industries on display
- This includes promoting the Big Bash League opener set to be played in Chennai with the Perth Scorchers facing off against the Melbourne Renegades
- Premier Roger Cook leading an investment and trade mission through India and Vietnam
- Part of push to position WA as a capital of the Indian Ocean rim and create local jobs
The Perth Scorchers are receiving an international pump up ahead of the first Big Bash League (BBL) match ever to be played outside of Australia.
While attending a Western Australian showcase in Mumbai, Premier Roger Cook announced a new partnership between the Scorchers and the Cook Labor Government’s global State of Energy campaign, which promotes Western Australia’s strengths, industries and opportunities to international audiences.
The Premier was also presented with a signature Scorchers jersey.
The event provided a major platform to put WA’s investment, tourism, and creative industries on display to key international stakeholders.
The Scorchers will kick off their 2026 BBL season against the Melbourne Renegades at Chennai’s iconic M.AChidambaram Stadium playing the opening game of the KFC BBL|16 season on Saturday, 12 December.
The landmark fixture marks the first Big Bash League contest ever played outside Australia and is anticipated to be the most-watched game in the competition’s history.
Live coverage will be provided via the Seven Network and Fox Cricket, and JioStar broadcasting to millions of viewers across India.
The match is set to showcase not only Australian cricket but put WA and the Scorchers skills on display in front of a truly global audience.
The Scorchers are entering this year’s BBL season as the most successful cricketing franchise in the world with six KFC BBL titles under their belts.
The trade mission to India and Vietnam will position WA as a long-term partner in the energy transition, strengthen direct aviation and tourism links, promote the State’s primary industries, and expand skills and training pathways to WA, helping to create local jobs for Western Australians.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
“Having the Big Bash League hold its first ever international match with the Perth Scorchers is both an enormous opportunity for WA and for our fantastic host city Chennai.
“While on the WA Government’s investment and trade mission through the country it’s very clear to see the passion for cricket here and the excitement for the BBL opener continues to grow.
“I want to create quality local jobs for Western Australians, and one way to do that is by boosting our trade and investment relationships with the countries in our time zone.
“India is one of Western Australia’s largest trading partners and missions such as this provide invaluable face-to-face opportunities which grow relationships and showcase what our great State has to offer on an international stage.”
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister Rita Saffioti:
“Western Australians love their cricket, and cricket is something Australia and India have long shared a huge passion for.
“Taking the Scorchers to Chennai is a great opportunity to strengthen those connections and bring Western Australia even closer to one of the world’s great cricketing nations.
“There’ll be plenty of people back home getting behind the Scorchers in December, and we know they’ll put on a great show for fans in India as well.”
