Mitch Marsh has continued his blistering form with an unbeaten 100 from 60 balls as the Perth Scorchers notched their third Big Bash League win from as many matches.
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Playing his first match of the tournament, Marsh hit his highest Twenty20 score and first century to lead his side to a 53-run win over the Hobart Hurricanes at Bellerive Oval.
The allrounder started his innings with a four and six and unleashed a trio of maximums off the spin of D'Arcy Short in the penultimate over as Perth posted 5-182.
In reply, the Hurricanes lost linchpin Matthew Wade in the first over and never really recovered despite some lusty blows from Ben McDermott in the middle overs.
It continues a red-hot run for Marsh, who top scored for Australia in their Twenty20 World Cup final win over New Zealand and backed it up with an unbeaten 60 from 27 balls against England A.
He was forced to temper his aggression early on as Perth lost top-order wickets before combining with England import Laurie Evans (40 from 24 balls) for a crucial a 67-run stand.
"It was plenty of fun. It's nice to be back in the orange," Marsh told Fox Cricket.
"I'm not necessarily trying to get off the mark with a boundary. It's more just my mindset ... I know if I prepare well I can take the game on from ball one."
Perth scored 57 runs off the final four overs as Marsh unleashed, bringing up his century on the second-last ball of the innings.
The Scorchers are the only undefeated BBL side and sit atop the table, while the Hurricanes have won one from their first three games.
Perth quick Jason Behrendorff (1-14) bowled three economical overs on the trot first up, picking up the big scalp of Wade.
Fellow speedster and England import Tymal Mills finished with 3-23 against his former franchise as the Hurricanes were all out for 129 in the 19th over.
After losing the toss, the Hurricanes were forced to battle a bowler down, with quick Joel Paris leaving the field with a groin niggle after sending down just 1.4 overs.
"He's a gun. To lose him was disappointing. Hopefully it's not the tournament," McDermott said.
Scott Boland (1-45 from four overs) copped a fair chunk of the punishment as did Short (0-41 from four overs), who was turned to for extra overs.
Perth wicketkeeper Josh Inglis managed just two in his return from Australia A duties but nailed two stumpings.
Australian Associated Press
