Mitch Marsh was a big admirer of Muttiah Muralitharan growing up.
But on Thursday night, Marsh will be aiming to smash the legendary Sri Lankan spinner out of the park when the Perth Scorchers host the Melbourne Renegades at the WACA.
Marsh has never faced a ball from Muralitharan, with a succession of hamstring injuries keeping the talented all-rounder out of the Scorchers’ BBL campaign last summer.
But after dropping five kilograms in recent months, Marsh is firing on all cylinders and ready to front up to Muralitharan and his Renegades teammates.
“He’s a once-in-a-generation, probably a once-ever type of bowler,” Marsh said of the 41-year-old, who claimed a record 800 wickets during his 133-Test career.
“What he’s achieved in the game has been unbelievable.
“I hope I get the chance to face him.
“It will be a bit like facing Warney in the first year.
“A few of us young guys were really excited to face a legend like that.
“We’ve been certainly doing our homework and fingers crossed we can hit him for a few.”
The Scorchers also possess a former world-class spinner up their sleeve in the form of Brad Hogg.
The evergreen 42-year-old claimed figures of 3-21 off four overs in Sunday’s three-wicket loss to the Brisbane Heat.
Marsh, who hit an unbeaten 57 in that game, said the presence of Hogg was vital for the development of the Scorchers’ young guns.
“I was lucky enough to room with him in Brisbane – it was like rooming with my old man,” Marsh joked.
“He’s been such a great player for WA and Australia. It was great for me. I loved it.”
The Scorchers will enter Thursday’s match without injured batsman Adam Voges (shoulder) and all-rounder Nathan Coulter-Nile, who has been placed on standby for the Boxing Day Test.
Coulter-Nile’s absence means Pakistan paceman Yasir Arafat, who replaced import Dwayne Smith in the Scorchers’ set-up, is likely to make his BBL debut against the Renegades.
Scorchers: Simon Katich (capt), Ashton Agar, Yasir Arafat, Tim Armstrong, Michael Beer, Jason Behrendorff, Ryan Duffield, Brad Hogg, Shaun Marsh, Mitch Marsh, Alfonso Thomas, Ashton Turner, Sam Whiteman (one to be omitted, 12th man to be named).
