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Marsh set for Scorchers comeback

A star of Australia's Ashes win, Shaun Marsh is expected to make his BBL|07 debut this week against the Adelaide Strikers

Australia Test batsman Shaun Marsh expects to return for the Perth Scorchers in what's looming as a top-of-the-table KFC BBL clash against the Adelaide Strikers on Thursday, in a timely boost for the reigning champions ahead of the finals.

Marsh suffered a quad strain in the fifth Magellan Ashes Test in Sydney, forcing him to miss the Scorchers' past three matches with physios reluctant to take any risks, given Australia's looming Test tour of South Africa.

But both Scorchers coach Justin Langer and Marsh himself confirmed on Saturday that the 34-year-old is more than likely to make his return against the Strikers.

"I'm hoping to be ready on Thursday," Marsh said on Network Ten's coverage of Saturday's clash between the Scorchers and the Hurricanes.

"I was hoping to be right for this game but I wasn't quite right.

The best of Shaun Marsh's Ashes summer

"Hopefully over the next few days I'll get all the ticks from the physios and be ready to go on Thursday."

Scorchers spinner Ashton Agar, named player of the match on Saturday for his game-changing figures of 2-14, said Marsh would be a welcome inclusion for what could be a crucial game.

"That's a huge inclusion if he's back," Agar said.

"He was in great form for the Australian Test team and I'm sure those basics translate into Twenty20 really well.

"He's done it so many times in the Big Bash for us, so it'll be such a handy addition heading into the finals series."

The Scorchers are on the cusp of securing a home semi-final with one week of the regular season remaining.

Sitting on top of the ladder on 14 points – two points clear of the Strikers in second – they can only miss out on hosting a playoff game at the new Optus Stadium if the Melbourne Renegades win their three remaining matches, and if the Scorchers lose to the Strikers on Thursday.

Their position is a testament to the depth in their squad – Mitch Marsh has been absent on international duties for the entirety of BBL|07, while brother Shaun and opener Cameron Bancroft were also notable absentees during the Ashes.

Now, it's Andrew Tye and Jhye Richardson away with the ODI squad. Both Nathan Coulter-Nile and Jason Behrendorff sit on the Scorchers' long-term injury list, while Sam Whiteman played his first game of the season on Saturday after spending a year on the sidelines with a finger injury.

"To know we've got great depth here in Perth (is great) and we back each other in every single game," Agar said.

Match Highlights: Scorchers topple the Hurricanes

"No matter who's got the ball in hand, who matter who's coming in to bat.

"Everyone who's had that chance has stood up.

"It's awesome to see Sam Whiteman today, he came back after a really bad finger injury and got the first catch of the game."

Chasing the Hurricanes' 5-167, Cameron Bancroft set the tone in the chase with a 36-ball 54 before Ashton Turner held his nerve late in the innings, scoring an unbeaten 50 off 27 – aided by Agar's 13no – to see the Scorchers home with four balls to spare.

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"It was a super important win," Agar said.

"Winning momentum is enormous. Learning how to win and holding that form is enormous, especially at the back-end of the tournament when you want your confidence to be sky high.

"We picked the right times to hit our boundaries and we targeted the right bowlers and we played our percentages really well.

"It was a really well-constructed innings.

"Ashton Turner, to come out and do what he did again, he just does it all the time and it was exceptional hitting under pressure and Cam Bancroft was exceptional through the middle as well."

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