Renegades duo 'need to bring ear muffs'

The WACA Ground is called The Furnace for a reason at this time of year and Perth Scorchers fans are set to turn up the heat on Brad Hodge and Brad Hogg in the west tonight.

The Scorchers will host the Melbourne Renegades in a match that will have big ramifications for the top four this KFC BBL season, but it's the return of the Renegades veterans that adds an intriguing sub-plot to the clash.

Hogg, a proud Western Australian, will play at his beloved WACA Ground as an opposition player for the first time since his controversial move east last year.

But it's Hodge who could well cop the most grief after his provocative remarks about Perth's list management earlier this season.

Last month, Hodge said the ability of the defending champions to retain most of their best players was "something that maybe should be looked into", a comment that earned a strong rebuke from the west.

And former Scorchers captain Simon Katich, one of those who defended his former franchise, said Hodge should expect a hostile reception when he returns to the venue where he scored a Test double century 12 years ago.

"Hodgey will need to bring his ear muffs for The Furnace and he can borrow Hoggy's before Hoggy bowls," Katich quipped.

Hogg concedes he's not sure what reception he'll get after decades of loyal service to Western Australian cricket, but maintains his controversial move to the Renegades wasn't a case of him abandoning the Scorchers.

"Whatever reception I get is the reception I get," Hogg told The Sunday Times.

"I know everyone there is parochial West Australian. I’m still parochial West Australian. I still love WA cricket.

"There’s no way that I walked out on them. It was just one of those situations. Youth were coming through and Ashton Agar wasn’t getting those opportunities.

"There were two teams that had been after me for three years before, and those two teams kept on asking me each year. I just kept on saying to them that there’s no chance that I’ll move unless the Scorchers don’t want me. It’s as simple as that."

Renegades captain Aaron Finch, who has returned to form with scores of 51 and 43 and will be playing his last match before joining Australia's ODI side, said he expects the popular Hogg will get a warm welcome.

"Hoggy's a cult hero isn't he, wherever he plays. He had a lot of success at Perth," Finch said.

"They still love him in Perth. I'm sure they'd love to see him get whacked but the way he's bowling at the moment, he's bowling beautifully, so hopefully he can continue that, but I'm sure the crowd will appreciate him being back and playing some cricket in Perth."

It should be a fiery clash in any case given the two teams are separated only by net run rate on the ladder, with the Renegades in second and the Scorchers fourth.

The top four teams - the Strikers, Renegades, Heat and Scorchers - are all level on eight points, meaning the winner of tonight's clash will jump clear at the top of the table.

The Renegades are unchanged while the Scorchers welcome back veteran quick Mitchell Johnson, who was rested for their loss to the Heat earlier this week.

Scorchers squad: Adam Voges (c), Ashton Agar, Will Bosisto, Hilton Cartwright, Tim David, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Johnson, Michael Klinger, Joel Paris, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, David Willey

Renegades squad: Aaron Finch (c), Dwayne Bravo, Tom Cooper, Marcus Harris, Brad Hodge, Brad Hogg, Jon Holland, Tim Ludeman, Mohammad Nabi, Kane Richardson, Matt Short, Cameron White, Jack Wildermuth