Perth Scorchers started 2026 in emphatic fashion, securing a dominant 40-run victory over the Hobart Hurricanes at Bellerive Oval. On a day that began with the announcement of Mitchell Marsh as Australia’s permanent T20 captain, the “Bison” celebrated with a ruthless century that set the foundation for a Scorchers masterclass.
Mitchell Marsh, Aaron Hardie power Perth Scorchers to massive total
If there were any lingering doubts about Marsh’s form or his suitability for the Australian T20 captaincy, he shattered them all into the Hobart night sky with a breathtaking century that powered the Perth Scorchers to an colossal 229/3 against the Hurricanes.
This wasn’t just a captain’s knock; it was a statement. A declaration of intent from a man clearly thriving under the weight of expectation. Just hours after being confirmed as Australia’s T20 World Cup leader, Marsh strode to the crease at Bellerive Oval and unleashed a batting exhibition that left fans, commentators, and certainly the Hurricanes bowlers, in awe.
Marsh’s 102 off just 58 balls was a perfectly calibrated assault. He started with typical belligerence, finding the boundary with ease, but shifted gears seamlessly to a truly destructive pace once set. The scorecard tells part of the story: 11 fours and 5 sixes. But it doesn’t quite capture the sheer power and timing behind each one. There was one particular “Golden Moment” in the 14th over where he dismantled Mitchell Owen, going 4, 6, 6, 4 in a brutal display of clean hitting.
And he wasn’t alone in the fireworks! The partnership with the in-form Aaron Hardie (a blistering 94* off 43 balls himself) was simply phenomenal. A 164-run stand that turned a strong start into an utterly dominant one, leaving the Hurricanes chasing a mountain.
Hobart Hurricanes’ chase falters despite spirited middle-order effort
Chasing 230 was always going to require a miracle, and while the Hurricanes showed flashes of brilliance, they were never truly ahead of the required run rate. Hurricanes began with intent, with Tim Ward providing early momentum through a brisk 27 off 17 balls. However, the required rate quickly escalated, forcing Hobart’s batters into high-risk shots. Contributions from Nikhil Chaudhary (31 off 15) and Matthew Wade (29 off 14) briefly reignited hopes, as the Hurricanes kept the chase alive through the middle overs.
Despite a flurry of boundaries, Hobart never truly seized control of the chase. Regular wickets halted any sustained momentum, and the asking rate climbed beyond reach. Ashton Agar was the standout with the ball for Perth, claiming three crucial wickets to break the Hurricanes’ spine, while Hardie and Joel Paris chipped in with timely breakthroughs. Hobart eventually closed on 189 for 9, falling well short of the towering target.
Mitchell Marsh claims Player of the Match after a blistering 102 runs off just 58 balls 🔥#MitchellMarsh #BBL2025 pic.twitter.com/rsgV04yazo
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 1, 2026
