Mitchell Marsh On Missing Century By Only 4 Runs-TGN

Mitchell Marsh last notched up an ODI century back in 2016, which was his only ODI century in his career, having made his ODI debut in 2011. He now has 17 half-century scores failing to have converted it into a three-figure score.

In what has been a stop-start Australia career, Mitchell Marsh has once again found momentum – and a serious one – in his ODI career this year. He’s been in blazing form in 2023: in 10 ODI knocks this year, Marsh has scored 417 runs at an average of 46, but it’s his strike rate of 121 that explains his dominance and ruthlessness at the top of the order. With Travis Head injured, Marsh is set to open alongside David Warner in the World Cup 2023.

On Wednesday, in Rajkot in the 3rd ODI against India, he missed another opportunity, this time by just 4 runs, to convert this half-century into a century. He smashed 96 runs in 84 balls with the help of 13 fours and 3 sixes.

This is twice in 3 innings that he’s crossed the 50-run mark, but failed to touch the 100-run milestone: 10 days ago, he had bludgeoned 71 runs in 56 balls against South Africa in Johannesburg.

Probably the hottest conditions I’ve faced: Mitchell Marsh

Batting first in the high heat of Rajkot, Marsh had had to deal with the heat and was often cramping in the second half of his innings, calling for drinks and refreshments regularly. He said that this was perhaps the hottest conditions he’s ever batted in, while lamenting missing out on another century milestone opportunity.

Speaking with Star Sports, Mitchell Marsh said: ”Threw another one away didn’t I? Probably the hottest conditions I’ve faced, wicket was good but I was cooked by the end as you could see. Wicket was really good, we assessed the conditions very early and wanted to get as many as we could in the powerplay to set up a platform.”

“Personally would’ve been nice to get another 4 runs but happy with our job.”

The Australian top four of Warner, Marsh, Steve Smith, and Marnus Labuschagne all scored half-centuries. However, while once it looked like Australia will score over 380, India’s bowlers pulled this back in the last 15-20 overs of Australia’s innings to restrict them to 352.

Will this be enough for Australia to avoid a first-ever ODI white-wash to India?

“We’re going to change the pace, saw that it worked towards the back end there. Was nice, hopefully we can come out and do well, kickstart our India tour. As you saw the wicket slowed up a bit as the ball got older. Hopefully it does the same for us and 352 will be a few too many” added Marsh.