Marsh sets up win as Scorchers consolidate play-off berth

Mitchell Marsh in BBL

Mitch Marsh crashed 88 as Perth Scorchers boosted their Big Bash play-off hopes with a 32-run win over Adelaide Strikers.

After being asked to bat, Scorchers posted 232-4 - the third-highest total this season and fifth highest of all-time.

Marsh, who hit six fours and seven sixes, put on 81 with Finn Allen (38) for the first wicket before Cooper Connolly fell next ball.

Josh Inglis made 42 in a partnership of 77 with Marsh before being caught by Jamie Overton off Matt Short.

Marsh continued and fell with a second hundred of the season in his sights, but Aaron Hardie (32*) and Ashton Turner (20*) put on an unbroken 42 in 20 balls to drag them well past 200.

Strikers' chase got off to a good start with Short sharing 93 with the returning Alex Carey and at the halfway point they were 117-1 and needed another 116.

They were 153-2 in the 15th over and competitive but the wicket of Liam Scott turned the game.

Carey (71 off 39) followed in the next over and Strikers slipped to 167-8 at the start of the 18th over. They finished 200-8.

Earlier on Sunday, Sydney Sixers' match against Hobart Hurricanes was washed out after five overs. Sixers, who had Steve Smith back in their side, were 32-0 when the rain arrived.

However, the result means that defending champions Hurricanes are the first side to confirm their place in the play-offs.

Scorchers are up to second, with Melbourne Stars in third and Sixers occupying fourth and the final play-off spot.

Strikers are now sixth and must win their final two games and have other results go their way to have any chance of progressing.