Perth Scorchers 7 for 196 (M Marsh 56*, Bancroft 51, Richardson 4-22) beat Melbourne Renegades 6 for 185 (Webster 67*, S Marsh 55, Ahmed 2-22) by 11 runs
Mitchell Marsh spoiled older brother Shaun's much-anticipated home return with a belligerent half-century to fuel Perth Scorchers' 11-run victory over Melbourne Renegades at Perth Stadium.
After being sent in, the Scorchers took advantage of a batting paradise with Cameron Bancroft and Liam Livingstone sharing a rapid half-century stand before Mitchell Marsh devastatingly provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 56 off 22 balls.
The Scorchers' total of 7 for 196 - their third highest ever - might have been even greater if not for the lionhearted effort of Kane Richardson, who finished with career-best BBL figures of 4 for 22. Renegades fell short in the chase despite the brilliance of Shaun Marsh, who top-scored with 55.
The Scorchers won their first match of the season, while defending champions Renegades remain winless.
Under pressure Scorchers' top-order fires
The Scorchers have backed the duo of Livingstone and Josh Inglis at the top after struggling to find a reliable opening combination last season. Inglis showed his inventiveness with a scooped six in the second over but fell tamely after, when he got a leading edge off a full Richardson delivery to point.
An aggressive Bancroft was in sparkling touch, marked by precise footwork, to take advantage of the power play. On the big expanses of Perth Stadium, Bancroft smartly nudged the ball around for twos after the powerplay to ensure the runs flowed.
Livingstone, who made a duck against Sydney Sixers, broke the shackles spectacularly with a scooped six off Jack Wildermuth - matching Inglis' earlier ingenuity. He took a liking to Cameron Boyce's spin and clubbed a massive six as his confidence grew.
Livingstone, however, couldn't keep it going as he miscued a short delivery off Richard Gleeson. But the 64-run second-wicket partnership built a strong platform.
Mitchell Marsh explodes at the death
Bancroft impressively ended a form rut to notch his half-century off 36 balls, as he combined well with Ashton Turner who similarly has struggled across the formats this season.
With the Renegades unable to penetrate, skipper Aaron Finch turned to spearhead Richardson in the 14th over and it did the trick as he claimed the wicket of Bancroft with a short delivery.
Mitchell Marsh played himself in before targeting Harry Gurney in the 17th over and nailing a blow over the bowler and into the crowd. Much like Bancroft, Mitchell Marsh smartly found the gaps to continue the Scorchers' penchant of finding twos.
Turner fell for 36 leaving the responsibility at the death to Mitchell Marsh, who didn't disappoint with five huge sixes in the final two overs to reach his half-century off just 21 balls. Richardson's solo act was capped off by a sensational return catch to dismiss Ashton Agar, but he lacked support.
The Marsh brothers square off
Already without mainstays Jason Behrendorff and Andrew Tye, the Scorchers' bowling depth was tested with young quick Matthew Kelly missing due to illness. And the weakened attack was tested by an opening onslaught from Finch and Sam Harper, who combined for 43 in an aggressive stand.
Finch, particularly, was in ominous touch until he smashed straight to cover to end his whirlwind 28. The wicket brought Shaun Marsh, the all-time leading Scorchers run-scorer, to the crease and he was greeted by jeers from the crowd.
Joel Paris, who bowled sedately, dismissed Harper for 15 and then should have had Tom Cooper next ball had Livingstone not fumbled at deep square. With his brother on strike, Mitchell Marsh brought himself into the attack in the seventh over, in what was a return to bowling after an injury layoff. Watched on by their father Geoff, the brothers faced up to one delivery with Shaun Marsh scoring a single in an anti-climax.
When Agar bowled Tom Cooper with his second delivery, the pressure rested on Shaun Marsh to conjure heroics on his former home ground.
Shaun Marsh's brilliance falls short
Shaun Marsh eyed a fairy tale return as he clubbed a pair of sixes in the 14th over off Agar and he found a willing ally in Beau Webster as the pair breathed life into the contest.
With Kelly and Tye sidelined, Chris Jordan stepped up and delivered clutch bowling in the latter overs and Fawah Ahmed bowled accurately to stymie the burgeoning partnership.
Shaun Marsh stepped it up with sweet strokes until he holed out to Ahmed in the 18th over to effectively end the contest. Jordan spectacularly capped off the victory with a brilliant diving catch on the boundary to dismiss Dan Christian.
