Big Bash League: Perth Scorchers all-rounder Aaron Hardie backs returning Mitch Marsh and Laurie Evans to star

Perth Scorchers all-rounder Aaron Hardie says the return of fan favourites and heavy-hitters Mitch Marsh and Laurie Evans has elevated excitement levels on the eve of the Big Bash League season. A batting line-up which finished third in runs scored last year will be substantially bolstered by Marsh’s availability with no baggy green commitments this season. And the return of Evans is also cause for celebration after the club ended his one-season sojourn with Melbourne Renegades by taking him with pick no.19 in the league’s international player draft. Ahead of Evans’ imminent arrival and with Marsh expected to be ready to go for Perth’s opener against Sydney Sixers at Optus Stadium on Sunday, Hardie said the duo’s class would give the entire squad confidence. “It has been a while since we’ve seen Mitch in Scorchers’ orange, he played one game last year. Every time we get him in the field or in the batting line-up, we certainly stand a lot taller,” he said. “I can think back to three or four seasons ago, where he was just absolutely dominating, making a hundred (against Hobart), winning us games, contributing in a massive way. “Certainly I know the crowd gets up and about when he walks out to bat. Personally, I’m very excited to play with him, and I think there’s a lot of people around Perth who are very excited to see him bat. “Laurie Evans, he looks a lot better in orange than red, so I think he’s happy to have the orange back on and we’re happy to have him. Having a past title-winner back in our team is super exciting.” The Scorchers brought back Kiwi opener Finn Allen, who memorably sent his first delivery in orange over the rope but then struggled for consistency. Hardie backed Allen and Evans — who scored 292 runs at an average of 58.40 and a strike rate of 189.61 for Perth two seasons ago — to hit the ground running. “I’m certainly excited to play with some big hitting players, having Finn and getting Laurie back was an absolute no-brainer,” he said. “Laurie’s been playing cricket around the world, so he’s ready to go. Finn is going to be ready to go; he was ready last season for the first ball that he faced.” Despite a disappointing Sheffield Shield loss for WA to Victoria over the weekend, Hardie said it would be a pretty quick and easy mindset shift to the shorter format. It’s a pretty quick turnaround this year. Sometimes we do get a little bit more of a lead in, but we certainly have our eye on this time of the year from a fair way out, so we’re all going to be ready to go for Sunday,” he said. “We do see the Big Bash dates, and everyone’s counting down to get out to the Big Bash, because it’s always such a fun time of the year, everyone’s super excited t change from the red ball to the white ball.”