Mitchell Marsh warns India and rivals with explosive BBL century ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

Australian T20I captain Mitchell Marsh shut down the critics and ended his lean spell in this edition of the BBL with a crushing hundred. The century finally arrived after a series of low scores in this year’s Big Bash League, and is timely for the Australian T20I captain.

The most successful franchise, the Perth Scorchers, started the BBL with a win against the Sydney Sixers and managed just two wins in the season’s first four games. With a huge net run percentage, they currently sit in third position behind the Melbourne Stars and Hobart Hurricanes.

The Perth Scorchers are led by Australian white-ball skipper Mitchell Marsh. Despite playing all season, Marsh hasn’t had any promising runs. However, he finally broke the chains when he played for the Scorchers in the fifth match.

Mitchell Marsh wows the BBL crowd with a sparkling hundred

Two of the top three players in the Perth Scorchers’ batting order have been named in the final squad for the ICC T20 World Cup today, January 1. Mitchell Marsh has been named captain of the side, while Cooper Connolly is all set to play his first innings in an ICC tournament.

Mitchell Marsh, whose bat has been quiet this season after having an exceptional year with the bat in international limited-overs cricket, showed glimpses of his fine form and raw power in the fifth match against defending champions Hobart Hurricanes.

Opening the innings against the Hurricanes, Marsh got off to a flying start, and the Bison continued their attack even after the power play ended. Marsh scored 102 runs off 58 balls and was dismissed by the opposition skipper Nathan Ellis in the last half of the match.

A sparkling century of the Bison! 🦬👏 #bbL15 Pic.TwiTTeR.cOM/QIA48klz0V

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) JANyouARj 1, 2026

Mitchell Marsh shuts down critics ahead of the T20 World Cup

Mitchell Marsh was named skipper of the Australian side despite Pat Cummins returning the former skipper to the T20I XI. This decision was rightly made after the selectors deemed Marsh’s leadership to be fruitful for the young team.

Furthermore, Pat Cummins’ availability for any match in the tournament remains in doubt, with Marsh having captained the side for a long time in his absence. Marsh showed a slight dip in form and it was doubted whether he would continue his great form at the World Cup.

However, just hours after being appointed captain of the side, Marsh will take charge in his first-ever ICC tournament. This century is a warning sign for all oppositions and gives a glimpse of its raw power and what impact it can have on the smaller borders of the subcontinent.

Aaron Hardie misses out on a well-deserved BBL century

Allrounder Aaron Hardie came to bat at no. 4 for the Perth Scorchers. Finn Allen and in-form batsman Cooper Connolly failed to work alongside Marsh on this occasion; Hardie, however, backed his captain with more brutal blows.

94*, unbeaten off just 43 balls, Hardie struck at almost 220 and scored 5 sixes in the innings, adding to his 9 fours. After taking runs away from Nathan Ellis in the last over of the match, he could not reach his maiden century in the BBL.

However, ahead of the T20 World Cup, such impactful innings from West Australian all-rounder will prompt George Bailey to reconsider his team selections for the big tournament in India.

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