All eyes are on all-rounder Mitch Marsh as he readies to suit up for the Scorchers for the first time in more than three years after touching down in Perth on Monday.
Marsh was dropped from the Australian Test side before Sunday’s six-wicket win over India, after poor performances with the bat and muted efforts with the ball hanging over his head throughout the series.
Mitch Marsh returns to Perth on Monday.Credit: 9News Perth
The Perth-born player landed back in his home city on Monday morning amid speculation he would play for the Scorchers in Tuesday’s clash against the Melbourne Renegades.
The Scorchers confirmed in a press conference later on Monday that Marsh had been cleared by Cricket Australia for his Big Bash League return.
Marsh made his Test debut against Pakistan in 2014 and was made joint vice-captain four years later.
In 2019, he took his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket in the final game of the Ashes Series, and in 2024 won cricket’s most prestigious award, the Allan Border medal.
Thunder player on road to recovery after collision
Meanwhile, a Sydney Thunder player who was concussed after a horror collision with a teammate in Perth on Friday night has spoken out to say he’s on the mend and thank those who helped and supported him.
Daniel Sams and Cameron Bancroft clashed on field during the Thunder’s last-ball win over the Scorchers at Optus Stadium.
Look away: Cameron Bancroft and Daniel Sams of the Thunder collide while attempting to catch the ball during the BBL match between Perth Scorchers and Sydney Thunder.Credit: Getty Images
Both players were running at full pace from opposite directions in a bid to catch a shot when they collided while lunging for the ball.
Thunder players rushed in and the two Scorchers batters stopped running between the wickets.
After five minutes of treatment, a groggy Bancroft was able to walk off the field with the help of a trainer, blood streaming from his nose as he left the field.
Bancroft suffered a broken nose and shoulder and both men were treated for concussion. They spent the night in hospital, with Sams on Monday posting an update on his health to his Instagram page.
Cameron Bancroft (right) is helped from the field while medical staff treat Daniel Sams after their collision.Credit: Getty Images
“Thanks for all the well wishes over the last couple of days,” he said.
“Has given me a lot of gratitude for the support I have around me.”
Play was stopped for five minutes following the collision, and Sams was treated by medical staff and an ambulance crew on the field.
On Monday he thanked Thunder, Scorchers and Cricket Australia staff for taking care of him after he was stretchered off.
“I am on the mend and can’t wait to be back,” he said.
Sams will miss at least the next four games for the Thunder, with any return date to depend on how he recovers from his concussion.
The win lifted the Thunder to second on the BBL ladder with a game in hand, after winning only one game all of last season.
With AAP