The Australian summer has witnessed a familiar sight – Mitchell Marsh at the crease, his family eagerly cheering from the stands. The anticipation reached a crescendo on Thursday as the Marsh family, including father Geoff and elder brother Shaun, hoped for Mitchell’s fourth Test century after his pivotal partnership with Steve Smith.
Their optimism, however, was shattered when Mir Hamza dismissed Mitchell for 96. At the early stage of his innings, Marsh received a lifeline when Abdullah Shafique dropped a routine catch at first slip, allowing him to continue his resilient stand alongside the Australian vice-captain.
ALSO READ: Mrinank Singh Poses As Fake IPL Cricketer, Dupes Rishabh Pant In Luxury Fraud Scheme
The excitement in the crowd grew as Marsh approached the 90-run mark. Unfortunately, he fell agonizingly short of a well-deserved century, caught superbly by Aghan Salman with a one-handed diving effort at slips, courtesy of Hamza’s delivery.
“It’s like a crocodile jaw trying to catch a ball.”
Abdullah Shafique hands Mitch Marsh a life on 20 #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/NMlTKHn3t5
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 28, 2023
Geoff and Shaun Marsh, though taken aback by the dismissal, acknowledged Mitchell’s heroics. This innings came on the heels of a challenging top-order collapse earlier in the morning session.
Mitch Marsh gone for 96 – to an absolute belter at first slip from Agha Salman! #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/KNUP3kDr3j
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 28, 2023
Australia faced a daunting task after Pat Cummins claimed 5-48 and Nathan Lyon took 4-73 to dismiss Pakistan. The hosts had to navigate a tricky 15-minute period in the morning session. However, the early blows continued as Usman Khawaja fell for a duck, caught behind by Mohammad Rizwan off Shaheen Afridi.
Mitchell Marsh’s wife reactions when he got out on 96 runs.
– Heartbreak for Marsh & his family. pic.twitter.com/e8RCIfk9C1
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) December 28, 2023
The struggles persisted when Marnus Labuschagne edged down the leg-side on five, leaving Australia reeling at 6-2 during the lunch break. Upon returning, David Warner contributed with a boundary off Afridi but succumbed to Mir Hamza, dragging the ball onto his stumps for six.
Warner received a standing ovation as he walked off for the last time as a batsman at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The third Test in Sydney is slated to be the final chapter of his illustrious career.
ALSO READ: Ravi Shastri Slams Tactics As India Falter In Centurion Boxing Day Test
Australia’s plight worsened when Travis Head fell victim to Hamza’s inswinging yorker, leaving them in disarray at 16-4. Yet, Marsh, along with Smith, weathered the storm, thwarting the Pakistani attack and stabilizing the Australian innings.
