By Zainab Shafiq 
Perth Scorchers will hand Mitchell Marsh a long-awaited Big Bash League (BBL) return as they look to beat the Melbourne Renegades at Optus Stadium on Tuesday. The all-rounder has been brought into the Scorchers’ squad, less than a week after being omitted from Australia’s final Test against India in the Border-Gavaskar series.
Fast bowler Jhye Richardson is also likely to return to the Scorchers after playing for the Test team in the last two games of the series. Other Test players, including Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Usman Khawaja, are likely to confirm their BBL availability soon.
Marsh’s Return Journey
Marsh’s last BBL game was in January 2022. He missed the 2022-23 season to have surgery on his ankle, opting for a Test return. That gamble paid off when he was included in the 2023 Ashes, in which he made a century at Headingley that he will never forget. He lost his Test place after a lean series against India recently when debutant Beau Webster took his place at the SCG.
Marsh might appear in the remaining BBL games of Scorchers if he gets selected for Australia’s tour to Sri Lanka. The list of the squad is to be announced later this week.
Test Players Coming Back to BBL
The return of Jhye Richardson adds much-needed firepower to the Perth bowling arsenal. Other Test players who might be eyeing a return include Nathan Lyon with Melbourne Renegades, Alex Carey with Adelaide Strikers, and Sean Abbott with Sydney Sixers. However, Travis Head has ruled himself out, citing exhaustion after a taxing series against India.
Scott Boland, Melbourne Stars, may have a break, as he will be carrying loads in the last Tests. Those players who were picked for the Sri Lanka tour through a training camp in Dubai are not available to play in the BBL finals.
Marsh’s return provides Perth Scorchers with a better lineup as the team prepares for the final stages of the season. Fans will love to see how he performs for his domestic side.
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