Australian all-rounder Mitch Marsh’s long-awaited return to the Big Bash League (BBL) didn’t go as planned. The 33-year-old was dismissed for a golden duck in his first game for the Perth Scorchers in three years.
The excitement at Optus Stadium was palpable, with over 30,000 fans turning up to see their hometown star back in action. Marsh, who had last played for the Scorchers in the BBL11 final, was expected to bolster the batting lineup. But his comeback took a disappointing turn when Melbourne Renegades pacer Will Sutherland trapped him lbw with his very first delivery.
A Nightmare Start for Marsh
Walking in with high expectations, Marsh received a warm reception from the Perth crowd. But the excitement quickly faded. Sutherland, who was in fiery form, delivered a full-length ball that swung back into Marsh, catching him plumb in front. Without much hesitation, Marsh walked off, acknowledging his fate with a brief consideration for a review.
The dismissal left the stadium stunned and set the tone for a challenging evening for the Scorchers.
Marsh Reflects on His Return
Speaking to Fox Cricket before the match, Marsh expressed his excitement about returning to the Scorchers after a long international stint.
“It’s been a long time. I obviously love playing for the Scorchers, and it’s been really nice to come home after a big series. I love playing here,” he said.
Despite the early setback, Marsh maintained his trademark sense of humor, introducing himself on the broadcast as a “former Test star.”
Scorchers Struggle After Horror Start
Marsh’s dismissal wasn’t the only blow for Perth. Rising star Cooper Connolly, who leads the competition in runs, followed suit with a duck. He was bowled second ball by Tom Rogers, further deflating the crowd.
Captain Ashton Turner also fell cheaply for just eight runs, leaving the Scorchers reeling at 47-4 after seven overs.
Marsh’s return to domestic cricket came just a week after he was dropped from Australia’s Test squad. His performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was underwhelming, with scores of 9, 5, 4, 2, and 0 in his last five innings. He struggled with both bat and ball, leading to his replacement by Beau Webster for the final Test.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram and Instagram
