Shaun Marsh batted himself into contention for next month’s World Cup with a match-winning solo effort in Australia’s 46-run win over England Friday at the Bellerive Oval.
Marsh, left out of Australia’s World Cup squad named on Tuesday and the only player not in that squad playing on Friday, posted his second one-day international century as Australia made 230 from 48.2 overs after being sent in to bat by England.
In reply, England never recovered from an early double-strike by paceman Doug Bollinger (4-28), who also contributed valuable tail-end runs with the bat. They were dismissed for just 184 in 45 overs as Australia took a 2-0 lead in the seven-match series.
Batting at number six, the left-handed Marsh brought up his century lofting Michael Yardy over mid-wicket for six, having hit the previous two balls for four. The home side were in deep trouble at 142-8, before Marsh and number 10 Bollinger rallied to the cause by adding an unlikely 88, a record ninth-wicket stand for Australia in ODIs. Marsh, called into Friday’s team to replace the injured Mike Hussey, strode to the wicket with the home side in deep trouble at 33-4.
Hauritz injured
Nathan Hauritz was taken to hospital after injuring his shoulder in a fielding accident, putting the only specialist spin bowler in the Australian squad into doubt for the World Cup.
Hauritz injured
Nathan Hauritz was taken to hospital after injuring his shoulder in a fielding accident, putting the only specialist spin bowler in the Australian squad into doubt for the World Cup.