BBL14: Perth Scorchers speedster Lance Morris unrestricted after managed start to the summer

Perth Scorchers speedster Lance Morris has sent an ominous warning to the rest of the BBL — “The Wild Thing” is off the leash.

Morris, who this week signed a two-year deal with the perennial contenders, consistently hit speeds of mid 140km/h in the Scorchers’ season-opening win over the Melbourne Stars.

It comes after the Dunsborough product has been heavily managed to start the summer, restricted to only two first-class games for WA as well as singular one-day games for both state and country.

Morris said the shackles were off him now in a scary proposition for opposition batters.

“I’ve been managed pretty heavily over the last few months so in that respect my body is fresh... my body’s feeling as good as ever,” Morris said.

“You want to spend your tickets in games and that’s been a huge directive this year: Spending less balls in the nets bowling into an empty net or at training and using those balls out in the middle.

“Because nothing can replicate game-day experience.”

Morris has tasted international cricket with three ODI caps this year and has been close to a Test debut, having been part of the squad 12 months ago.

An injury to experienced bowler Josh Hazlewood has opened the door for Scott Boland to return on his home deck of the MCG for the Boxing Day Test, but Morris has never been too far away.

“It’s a tricky one. You’ve got three amazing quicks (Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins) who will probably go down as legends of the game so it’s always going to be hard to crack that team,” Morris said.

“The only thing I can do is control what’s in front of me and that’s Big Bash cricket, so I’ll take each game at a time and if an opportunity arises then hopefully I’m fit and ready to jump on.”

The Scorchers’ much-hailed bowling unit looms again as the five-time champions point of difference, having held the powerful Stars’ batting line-up to a modest 146 from 20 overs.

Morris took 2-30 from his four overs, while Player of the Match Jhye Richardson (3-19) and accurate left-arm swing bowler Jason Behrendorff (1-19) set the tone with the new ball.

All-rounder Aaron Hardie should also be fit to play after Christmas, adding intrigue as to whether Perth can carry four fast bowlers into the back end of the tournament.

Morris said having that much depth to fit into only 11 players was a “good problem to have”.

“Just the amount of options we can lean on in a bowling innings,” he said.

“There is always going to be room to squeeze in Aaron’s overs in that’s for sure.

“We know what he can do with a new ball, especially he can swing it early and he’s got awesome execution at the depth as well.”