Mitchell Marsh steals the show as Perth Scorchers make it five in five

A red-hot Mitchell Marsh spoilt Aaron Finch's dazzling Melbourne Renegades return as Perth Scorchers maintained their all-win record in this year's BBL with a 21-run victory at Marvel Stadium.

Marsh continued his purple patch with the bat, scoring a furious 53-ball 86 to power Scorchers to their highest-ever away total - 206 for 5.

In his first match since leading Australia to T20 World Cup glory, Finch scored a 43-ball 68 and combined with Nic Maddinson in Renegades' record second-wicket stand of 130.

But Marsh produced more heroics to claim the scalp of Maddinson and Finch departed shortly after as the gallant Scorchers fell short.

Marsh and Evans dominate Scorchers bowlers
Scorchers suffered a blow when the in-form Kurtis Patterson, who has been a revelation as an opener, was sidelined with a left quad injury. It meant Scorchers had their fourth different opening combination in a row, with a returning Cameron Bancroft opening with Josh Inglis.

Inglis fell in the second over to James Pattinson, but that brought Marsh to the crease and the T20 World Cup hero again put on a show. After surviving an early chance, the former Scorchers skipper put the foot down with a blistering assault on Pattinson, who strayed on to the pads.

Marsh took a liking to the short boundaries square of the wicket and targeted in-form spinner Zahir Khan for special treatment as he powered to a 30-ball half-century. At the other side, a pumped-up Colin Munro, a centurion against Adelaide Strikers, hit an astonishing first-ball six after charging Will Sutherland, but lost momentum amid Marsh's whirlwind.

Marsh appeared a certainty to score his second BBL ton in three innings but fell to a loose shot in the 16th over to give Renegades hope.

But impressive English import Laurie Evans batted superbly at the death, and fittingly ended a dominant Scorchers innings with a last-ball six as the league leaders recorded their second-highest score in franchise history.

Fraser-McGurk and Zahir have a rough time
Jake Fraser-McGurk probably has the best catch of the BBL season wrapped up after his stunning one-hander on the boundary against Strikers. But cricket is a great leveller, and so it proved for the youngster, who dropped Marsh on the boundary when on 3. Marsh's powerful pull shot would have hit Marvel Stadium's roof had it been shut, but instead it travelled high into the sky making it awkward for Fraser-McGurk, who was distracted by the boundary rope and spilt the catch.

Zahir, who has been arguably the best spinner in the BBL, struggled for the first time this season to finish with poor figures of none for 45 off his four overs. Only the experienced Kane Richardson - with his canny use of slower balls - was able to somewhat weather the storm and he was rewarded with the wickets of Marsh and Munro.

Finch returns in style
Renegades needed a strong four-over powerplay and the early dismissal of youngster Mackenzie Harvey - bowled by a gem from Jason Behrendorff - brought together their two main stars. And Finch and Maddinson gave them hope with audacious batting to smash 47 off the powerplay.

Finch, who had started his innings with a fluent straight drive, didn't look rusty after his recovery from a knee injury with consecutive sixes off Tymal Mills in the fourth over lighting a fuse. Finch clearly had not lost his touch and in trademark fashion, he was perfectly still at the crease and swinging baseball style in a vintage performance. He clubbed 20 runs off Andrew Tye during the second power-surge over as Renegades sniffed a stunning heist.

But Maddinson, who had a reprieve on 49, fell to Marsh and Renegades' momentum was halted. The match was effectively over when Finch fell to Ashton Agar in the 16th over, but last-placed Renegades would be buoyed by the return of their ex-skipper.

Scorchers attack finally put under pressure
Scorchers' bowlers have been irresistible this season, with the most runs scored off them before this match just 151 by Brisbane Heat in their season opener. But even such a disciplined attack can look ragged and helpless when Finch and Maddinson are on song.

For a while, they had no answers and looked rattled. But, in trademark fashion, they held their nerve and the game turned through a brilliant one-handed catch by wicketkeeper Inglis to dismiss Maddinson.