Scorchers dismiss injury concerns ahead of vital clash

2 hours ago 2

By Shayne Hope

January 16, 2026 — 12.16pm

Finn Allen has dismissed injury concerns over he and Perth Scorchers teammate Mitch Marsh as they gear up for a high-stakes BBL clash with the Melbourne Stars.

Allen and Marsh opened the batting against the Melbourne Renegades on Thursday night, with the Kiwi blaster smashing a century to lead the Scorchers to an important 50-run win.

Finn Allen of the Scorchers bats during Thursday’s clash with the Melbourne Renegades.

But the pair did not field after the innings break, casting some doubt over their availability for Saturday night’s second-versus-third fixture at Optus Stadium.

Allen, who thumped 101 from 53 balls against the Renegades, said he had cramped in his troublesome left hamstring, while Marsh (20 off 15) copped a ball to the heel.

“I had a little bit of a hammy niggle on this side in Hobart earlier in the year, so it was just a little bit of a scare,” Allen said.

“It was just cramp, but I didn’t want to take the risk.

“(Marsh’s injury) was just an external blow to the heel like we saw in the footage. I think he’ll be OK.”

Allen’s first BBL century featured eight sixes and five fours, and was the second-fastest in Scorchers history.

The 26-year-old brought up triple figures off 51 balls, with the second 50 scored in just 17 deliveries.

“It was nice,” Allen said.

“It was pretty tough early on and I tried to get rogue on it a little bit.

“The wicket was doing a touch, then I just tried to push on and create a competitive score from us.”

The Scorchers (7-219) were just four runs shy of a record Marvel Stadium total in the win over the Renegades, which lifted them into second place, above the Stars on net run rate.

Saturday’s winner will leapfrog Hobart and top the BBL regular-season standings, earning home ground advantage and a double-chance in the finals.

But the loser will be handed a more difficult path to the title, thrust into a third-versus-fourth knockout contest.

“If we can have a home one-v-two (final), I think that’s massive for us,” Allen said.

“It will be good for the crowd too.”

The Stars, led by this season’s top run-scorer Sam Harper, are desperate for success as the only BBL franchise still without a title to their name.

“They’re a proper, well-rounded side, so I think they’ll be extremely competitive on Saturday,” Allen said.

“We’ll fly back (to Perth), rest up and go again.”

AAP