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Scorchers taking BBL road stint in stride

3 minute read

Perth Scorchers kicked off their extended road trip in style with a 21-run over Melbourne Renegades but face a difficult interstate schedule in coming weeks.

MITCHELL MARSH
MITCHELL MARSH Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

In-form allrounder Mitch Marsh has said there is no reason why the Perth Scorchers' enforced run of away matches can't be a successful one as they hunt a record fourth BBL title.

The Scorchers kicked off their road trip with a 21-run triumph over Melbourne Renegades on Wednesday night, with man-of-the-match Marsh at his brutal best.

His 86 off 53 balls helped improve the Scorchers' record to 5-0 ahead of another meeting with the Renegades (1-3) at Marvel Stadium on Boxing Day.

Marsh, who also snared the crucial wicket of Nic Maddinson, said the Scorchers are in a good headspace to extend their winning run further despite the difficult circumstances they find themselves in.

They face a total of 10 consecutive interstate matches leading into the finals after Western Australia's tough border stance wreaked havoc on the tournament schedule.

"Our attitude has been fantastic," Marsh said.

"We've spoken about it and, yes, we'd love to play games at Perth Stadium ... but we come together, we understand what's ahead of us and it's going to be a challenge.

"We're very lucky that we've got our families here (in Melbourne) and we've got great support from the organisation ... so we deal with it and we move on and hopefully keep winning games of cricket."

Scorchers players and staff, plus a contingent of travelling family members, will get in the festive spirit at a Christmas Eve dinner organised by the team.

"Everyone will get around each other and for a lot of people it's pretty foreign being away from home, so we'll try to make it as nice as possible for everyone," Marsh said.

"Those sorts of moments really bring you together when you're on the road from my experience and I'm looking forward to it."

Scorchers opener Kurtis Patterson is a chance to overcome a minor quadriceps injury in time to play against the Renegades on Boxing Day.

Marsh said not much needs to change for Perth as they seek a sixth-straight win, but noted the influence Maddinson (67 off 41) and Aaron Finch (68 off 43) had in the Renegades' run chase on Wednesday.

The Scorchers posted 5-206 - the second-highest total in franchise history - with the Renegades reaching 5-185 in response.

"It was a great blueprint," Marsh said.

"We'll probably look at the way that Maddo and Finchy batted ... but the ball was just flying.

"It was one of those nights and we were lucky to have 200 on the board."

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