Talking Points From New Year's Day Special

Below are several talking points from an outstanding performance, capping off a perfect trip to the Eastern States. 

The year of the Bison
What a way to start 2026. It was only a matter of time before Mitch Marsh set BBL|15 alight and with a breathtaking 102 from 58 deliveries, dismantling a Hurricanes bowling brigade left completely bereft of answers. The signs were there at the earliest possible moment when Marsh pulled the first delivery of the match – a Chris Jordan short ball – over cow corner and on to the Ninja Stadium hill. Another of his five sixes zinged over cover, knocking a beer from the hands of a disappointed onlooker. The Australian T20 skipper added 11 fours to the tally with a mixture of powerful drives, cuts and pulls, becoming the second male Scorcher to 2000 BBL runs, after captain Ashton Turner. Marsh’s second Big Bash century came in the 19^th over, eclipsing his previous best of 100 against the same opponent at the same venue in BBL|11.

He’s Hardie missed a beat
There are few players more pleasing to watch than Aaron Hardie in full flight. Back at four after a brief and effective sojourn at seven, Hardie achieved the near-impossible feat of outpointing Marsh for power and scoring pace by belting his highest BBL score of 94 not out from just 43 balls. The 26-year-old – who turns 27 on Sunday, when the Scorchers host Adelaide Strikers at Optus Stadium – took time to settle with 11 from his first 12 deliveries, including 10 singles. His first boundary, a slog sweep six over mid-wicket from ball 13, set the tone for an onslaught that peaked when he took 26 from Chris Jordan’s Power Surge over – 22 from the bat, all through the offside, and four leg byes. Particularly severe through and over cover, Hardie struck 30% of the deliveries he faced to the fence (nine fours, five sixes) while recording just five dot balls. He was back in the action with ball in hand, removing Ben McDermott and Rehan Ahmed for figures of 2-27 from three overs on a career-best night.

Marsh, Hardie send records tumbling
The product of Marsh and Hardie’s dominance was a 164-run partnership from 84 deliveries, compiled between overs 5.1, when Hardie came to the crease, and 19.1, when Marsh was dismissed. It was the highest third-wicket stand in Big Bash history, the eighth-highest partnership overall, and second-highest by the Scorchers’ BBL side, just seven runs shy of Michael Klinger and Shaun Marsh’s famous 171-run stand in December 2015. 

Batters setting the bar incredibly high
Remarkably, three of the Scorchers’ 10 totals of 200 runs or more have come in BBL|15, and we’re only halfway done. Asked to bat after losing the toss, the Scorchers scored their equal second-best all time score of 3-229 in 20 overs, bettered only the 257 they took from Brisbane Heat in an unprecedented contest earlier this season. They also went at 11.50 runs an over in a rain-shortened season-opener against Sydney Sixers, which was incidentally the only toss Turner has won this season to date. The Club’s net run rate is consequently healthy at 1.248, with Perth sitting third on the ladder after five games.

Cooper bucks the trend
Fresh from being selected in the Australia’s provision squad for the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India, Cooper Connolly reinforced his value with the ball. The left-arm orthodox spinner opened the bowling, dismissed Nikhil Chaudhary immediately after the form hitter showed dangerous signs during the Power Surge, and conceded just 5.75 runs an over in his four-over spell of 1-23. Connolly was the only bowler to go at less than a run a ball, with teammate Brody Couch (1-23 from three) the next best. The vast majority of other bowlers had economy rates exceeding nine, highlight Connolly’s adaptability and control in unfriendly bowling conditions.

Hobart Hoodoo broken
Reigning champions Hobart had won nine consecutive games at Ninja Stadium before tonight. They also spoiled the Scorchers’ party at Optus Stadium on Boxing Day, so it was only fair the visitors got their own back. Perth has now started the New Year with 11 wins from 15 matches, and will look to continue the significant momentum when they return home for their annual Aboriginal Match against the Strikers on Sunday.