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In his second game back from a calf injury, Shaun Marsh top-scored for the Melbourne Renegades in their BBL win over the depleted Brisbane Heat.

Beating up a depleted Brisbane Heat attack beats the hell out of not playing at all.

While the circumstances amid Australia's COVID-19 surge are far from ideal, Shaun Marsh has relished this week's return to the Big Bash League.

Marsh is back playing with the Melbourne Renegades after two months out of action because of a calf muscle injury.

He resumed in the January 3 win over the Melbourne Stars and went up a gear on Thursday night as the Renegades easily beat the COVID-ravaged Heat by five wickets.

Marsh top-scored for the Renegades in Geelong with 57 from 35 balls, including six fours and three sixes.

The Heat had eight first gamers on Thursday night and the Stars were also badly depleted because of positive cases.

Still, the two wins have elevated the Renegades to fifth on the BBL ladder and given them a sniff of a late-season charge.

"It's great to be back - I was getting pretty frustrated there for a while back in Perth, watching the guys and not being able to play," Marsh said.

"Hopefully we can build some momentum now."

But Marsh admitted to mixed emotions about playing against teams that are missing so many players.

"I haven't got an answer, really - at the moment, we're playing," he said when asked if such games should go ahead.

"It's really sad to see what's going on, not only with Big Bash but all around Australia - everyone is really battling."

The Renegades also have had a positive case and the BBL is about to set up a Hub in Victoria to ensure the season can be completed.

"I think it's all happening over the next few days," Marsh said.

"My understanding is everyone is going to be in Melbourne as soon as possible, which I think is a good thing.

"It means we're not travelling and if games need to be rescheduled, it can happen pretty quickly.

"We'd be probably thinking we'll be playing on any day, with the situation we're in, and hopefully we can finish off the tournament."