Mitch Marsh won’t play for Perth Scorchers in upcoming Sydney Big Bash games against Sixers and Thunder

Mitch Marsh has not travelled to Sydney and will miss the Perth Scorchers’ next two matches.

The decision has been made for the all-rounder, who was dumped from the Test side for the final match of the series against India, to spend time at home, rather than travel again.

Perth’s travelling party flew to Sydney on Thursday morning for a clash with the Sixers at the SCG on Saturday and then face the Thunder at ENGIE Stadium on Monday.

But after a gruelling Test summer and with a newborn baby at home, Marsh will remain in Perth. He made a golden duck in his first Scorchers appearance for three years on Tuesday night.

Matt Kelly, who bowled the ill-fated final over in the defeat to Melbourne Renegades on Tuesday night, has been dropped.

Andrew Tye is the most likely to come into the bowling unit after he was dropped for the Renegades match.

There is always a chance the Scorchers take in two spinners at the SCG, but they will wait to assess the wicket, given the track that was served up for the Test match last week offered very little for slow bowlers.

Power-hitter Nick Hobson has made the trip, despite not fielding on Tuesday night because he was struck on the foot, on the arm and was battling a tight back.

Ashton Agar has been named, despite battling COVID as he made his first half-century since 2016 against the Renegades.

Exciting paceman Mahli Beardman is a chance to debut on this trip in the absence of Kelly.

English batter Matty Hurst has been recalled to the squad in place of Marsh.

The Scorchers’ side for the rest of the tournament has been shaken up by the selection of young gun Cooper Connolly in the Test squad for a two-match series in Sri Lanka.

That also includes a 10-day training camp before the first Test on January 29.

It puts Connolly in doubt for the Scorchers’ January 18 home game against Adelaide Strikers, their final match of the regular season.