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.
![Salman Agha](https://cricshots.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/salman-agha-mitchell-marsh-catch.jpg)
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.