Hobart: Mitchell Marsh’s superb century and Aaron Hardy’s unbeaten 94 helped Perth Scorchers to a 40-run win over Hobart Hurricanes at Bellerive Oval.
Hurricanes captain Nathan Ellis opted to field first as his team’s bowling unit was flattened by a formidable third-wicket partnership between Marsh and Hardy that helped the Scorchers finish at 229/3 in their allotted 20 overs.
The Scorchers had a mixed start to their innings as they lost top-order batsmen Finn Allen (16) and Cooper Connolly (four) inside the batting powerplay for 53 runs.
Following an early setback, Hardy joined Marsh in the middle and the duo dominated the Hurricanes bowling, adding 164 runs, which is now the third-highest wicket partnership in PPL history.
The prolific partnership ended when Ellis dismissed Marsh with a slower delivery off the first delivery of the last over.
Australia’s T20I captain top-scored for the Scorchers with 102 off 58 balls with 11 fours and 5 sixes. In the end he was adjudged the man of the match.
On the other hand, Hardy returned unbeaten after scoring 94 off 43 balls with 9 fours and 5 sixes.
Ellis was the pick of the Hurricanes bowlers as he took two for 44 from his four overs, while Mitchell Owen could pick up a wicket.
Chasing a tough target of 230, the Hurricanes managed to amass 189/9 in their allotted 20 overs as none of their batsmen managed to play a big innings, with middle-order batsman Nikhil Chaudhary (31) being their top scorer.
Ashton Agar led the Scorchers’ bowling with a decent 3/38, followed by Joel Parris and Hardy with two each, Brodie Couch and Connolly adding one each.
The 40-run win lifted Perth Scorchers to third place in the PBL 2025-26 standings as they now have six points from five matches, while Hobart Hurricanes are second with eight points after six games.