Mitchell Marsh’s family expressed disappointment after the right-hander almost missed out on a well-deserved century on day three of the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan.
After left-arm seamer Mir Hamza made a crucial incision, breaking the huge 153-run partnership, the West Australian had to walk back for 96.
Marsh was dismissed in the 50th delivery of the game when he attempted to defend a ball placed outside off-stump, but it nibbled away a touch and took the outside edge. Agha Salman turned to his right and picked it with one hand, delighting the tourists.
It was also Hamza’s third wicket of the day, as he rocked the home side soon after the lunch break, dismissing David Warner and Travis Head in consecutive deliveries.
Abdullah Shafique granted Mitchell Marsh a respite on the 20th
Abdullah Shafique lost a routine chance off Aamer Jamal’s bowling, giving the 32-year-old a lifeline when he was on 20.
During his potentially game-changing combination with Smith, the all-rounder was the aggressor, putting away any wide ball for a boundary. Meanwhile, Smith kept chipping away, taking almost 150 deliveries for his half-century.
Pat Cummins began the day with his 10th Test fifer after Jamal’s 33* and Shaheen Afridi’s 21 helped trim the margin to 54.
In the penultimate over of the day, Afridi struck with a devastating bouncer to dismiss Steve Smith. While Australia has a large lead of 241 on a hot track, they will need more runs to provide a threat to Pakistan’s batting lineup.
Mitchell Marsh Test career & ODI career
Mitchell Marsh has played 37 Test matches in his Test career and has scored 1,704 runs at an average of 30. In his Test career, Mitchell Marsh has 223 fours and 27 sixes.
He scored 41 runs off 60 balls in his most recent Test match against Pakistan on December 20, 2023, at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia.
Mitchell Marsh has played 90 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and scored 2,672 runs at an average of 36. Mitchell Marsh’s Odi career has seen him knock 245 fours and 89 sixes.
One of his most recent Odi matches was in November 2023 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India, when he scored 15 runs off 15 balls.
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