Big Bash League: Josh Inglis to face Melbourne Stars after Cricket Australia-imposed break

Perth Scorchers will be boosted by the return of star wicketkeeper Josh Inglis in their clash for top spot against Melbourne Stars on Saturday night.

Inglis missed the Scorchers’ victory over Melbourne Renegades on Thursday night, which booted them back into second-place with just one regular season game to play.

If the Scorchers beat the Stars in the sold-out primetime blockbuster, they will host The Qualifier on Tuesday night and will be just two wins away from the club’s sixth title.

Inglis returned home after the Scorchers’ win over Adelaide last week to spend time in Perth with family. While the 30-year-old played just two of Australia’s Ashes Tests, he was in the squad for all five matches.

He was rested by Cricket Australia ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup campaign which begins on February 11.

Inglis is the only player added to the Scorchers’ squad and his return will likely mean fan-favourite finisher Nick Hobson will miss out.

“Every time you get Ingo back it is an absolute privilege,” teammate Mahli Beardman said.

“We’ve seen what he’s done in T20 cricket for a long period of time now and he’s a world-class act.”

The Scorchers will also likely weigh up the makeup of their bowling attack. Leg-spinner Luke Holt debuted in the clash with Adelaide and played again on Thursday night, but Perth decision-makers have snubbed spin bowling at home since left-arm tweaker Ashton Agar went down with a calf injury.

Agar is racing the clock to be fit again this tournament if the Scorchers go deep into the finals. Fellow bowling veteran Joel Paris has also been missing with a groin injury.

If the Scorchers can’t beat the Stars on Saturday night, they will likely slip to third and host The Eliminator between third and fourth, where the loser’s season is cut short.

Perth enter the clash in rare form after making it five road games in a row where they’ve posted a total above 200, and star import Finn Allen is coming off his maiden Big Bash century.

Allen was cleared of any issues with his hamstring after sitting out Perth’s fielding innings on Thursday. Mitch Marsh is also in line to play after he was benched by a blow to the heel during the win at Marvel Stadium.

But they have won just one of their four games at home so far this season and have not posted more than 153 at Optus Stadium.

Beardman re-signed with the Scorchers on Friday. While the new deal commits the 20-year-old South West product to the club for next season, he declared it is his “absolute dream” to become a long-time player in Perth.

“It is obviously the dream to play for the Scorchers, it has been an incredible couple of years,” he said.

“It’s been in the works for a little while, it’s been something we’ve been planning and now we’ve sealed the deal and I couldn’t be more grateful.

“Growing up I remember the WACA days going down and watching the boys, some of the boys I’m playing with now funnily enough. It’s the absolute dream.”