When it comes to muscling a cricket ball, there are few better power hitters in white-ball cricket than Mitch Marsh. Somewhat lost as a lower-order slugger late in 2022, Marsh has become a dominant force since he was promoted – by chance – to the top order in March.
And the results are telling.
Through 18 one-day internationals this year either opening the batting or at No.3, beginning in the three-match series in India in March, Marsh has crunched 843 runs at an average of 52.68 and a brutal strike rate of 115.16. That two of his three career ODI centuries, including an unbeaten 177 in an eight-wicket win over Bangladesh on Saturday, and five half-centuries have come in this period has reinforced the change of mindset for the 32-year-old.
Mitch Marsh has shown his power at the top of the order.Credit: Getty
This compares to his overall career average of 36.90 and strike rate of 96.37 in 87 matches.
While the national selectors should be praised for their role in Marsh’s uprising, had it not been for an injury and concussion to David Warner through the Indian Test tour in March, an absence that continued through the opening two white-ball matches, Marsh may have found himself a bits and pieces all-rounder, much as Marcus Stoinis is heading into Thursday’s World Cup semi-final against South Africa in Kolkata.
Instead, Marsh top-scored for Australia in each of the three-match series in March and was named player of the series after smacking 194 runs at 97 (12 sixes). His 81 off 65 balls in the series opener in Wankhede was particularly special, for it wasn’t just power that was required. A classical technique and street smarts on a seaming deck allowed him to prosper, while the next best Australian score was 26.
When Warner returned for game three, the selectors retained faith in Marsh, with Warner used for the first time ever at No.4.
Accidental hero: The move that remade Mitch Marsh
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13.11.2023
When it comes to muscling a cricket ball, there are few better power hitters in white-ball cricket than Mitch Marsh. Somewhat lost as a lower-order slugger late in 2022, Marsh has become a dominant force since he was promoted – by chance – to the top order in March.
And the results are telling.
Through 18 one-day internationals this year either opening the batting or at No.3, beginning in the three-match series in India in March, Marsh has crunched 843 runs at........
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