Big Bash League: Perth Scorchers spinner Luke Holt could not feel upper half of his body due to debut nerves

Luke Holt had so much adrenaline pumping through his body on his Perth Scorchers debut, the leg-spinner told teammates he could not feel the upper half of his body. The 22-year-old started his BBL career in nervy fashion, bowling a pair of half-trackers which were deposited for six and four by two-time player of the tournament Matt Short. But the leg-spinner bounced back superbly from there, giving away only eight runs in his next nine deliveries — including just four in a match-changing 14th over — to play a huge part in the Scorchers’ 32-run road win over Adelaide Strikers on Sunday. All-rounder Aaron Hardie told The West Sport Show Holt had left his teammates in no doubt he was up for the contest. “I actually came down in the lifts from the hotel at the same time as Holty and his adrenaline was going and he said ‘I think I’m ready to run through a brick wall here’,” Hardie said. “I think Holty described it as he couldn’t feel the upper half of his body, so it’s pretty hard to bowl leg-spin when you can’t feel your fingers, I would imagine. “Anyone who’s played at that level knows your first game, the pitch doesn’t feel like a normal cricket pitch, it’s a bit of a blur . . . the nerves in the first game, everyone has it, no matter what their story is.” Hardie said the way Holt had bounced back from his difficult start said as much about his character as it did about his skill. “That second over, bowling to (Alex) Carey and Liam Scott, going for four runs in the 14th over, and then you look up at the scoreboard and they need 70 off 30 balls all of a sudden. It was awesome for him to be able to do that,” Hardie said. “Once he got his first couple of balls away, he settled into the match really nicely. “He absolutely loves it — I probably haven’t seen someone as excited for their debut in a few years (of) being at the Scorchers.” Hardie presented his fellow Willetton Premier Cricket Club product Holt with his Scorchers cap ahead of the game, which the club’s vice-captain said was a “special moment”. “I’ve known Holty for a long time, so I was definitely more nervous for that cap presentation than I was for the game,” Hardie said.