Mitchell Marsh Set to Join Perth Scorchers for BBL Following Sydney Test Exclusion

New Delhi, Jan 6 (NationPress) Australia’s T20I captain Mitchell Marsh, who was excluded from the Sydney Test versus India, is primed to represent the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League (BBL).

Marsh, who last took the field for the Scorchers during their BBL season 11 championship victory over the Sydney Sixers, has been included in the Scorchers' roster for their upcoming match against the Melbourne Renegades at Optus Stadium on Tuesday.

The all-rounder was not selected for the Sydney Test due to his disappointing performance in the series, with debutant Beau Webster stepping in and scoring 57 and 39 not out, alongside taking a wicket and making two impressive catches.

Marsh had previously missed the entire BBL season 12 after undergoing ankle surgery and was unavailable for the 13th season of the tournament after reclaiming his position in the Australian Test squad.

With Marsh's return to the Scorchers, replacement player Bryce Jackson has been dropped from the 14-player lineup.

If he is not selected for the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka, commencing later this month in Galle, Marsh could enjoy a more extended run in the BBL with the Scorchers. The Australian Test team is set to defend their World Test Championship title at Lord’s in June against South Africa, with a pre-tour camp scheduled in Dubai.

Additionally, fast bowler Jhye Richardson, who missed three of the last four matches for the Scorchers after being selected for Australia’s last two Border-Gavaskar Trophy Tests against India, is also rejoining the squad for the Tuesday encounter.

Left-arm spinner Ashton Agar has been included in the Scorchers lineup as he recovers from back spasms that had sidelined him in the previous match against the Sydney Thunder. England wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Hurst has been omitted after scoring 64 runs across five matches this season, with New Zealand’s Finn Allen expected to take over the wicketkeeping duties.

Scorchers lineup for the match against the Renegades: Ashton Turner (c), Ashton Agar, Finn Allen (New Zealand), Jason Behrendorff, Cooper Connolly, Sam Fanning, Aaron Hardie, Nick Hobson, Matt Kelly, Mitchell Marsh, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Matthew Spoors, Andrew Tye