Marsh Attacks!

Shaun Marsh has had something of an in and out international career. He averages thirty-seven in one day internationals but has never been entirely sure of his place in the side and has been in indifferent form of late, as has been borne out by his exclusion from Australia’s World Cup squad. Given his chance by injuries to Mike Hussey and Ricky Ponting, however, he took it with both hands. If Hussey fails to make the plane, as seems quite likely, then Marsh has made an eloquent case for selection. With Chris Tremlett, not a member of England’s squad, bowling well the ICC rule that squads should be announced a month in advance of the World Cup looks ludicrous, a clear case of the marketing tail wagging the cricketing dog.

Batting uncommonly low at number seven, Marsh came in with Australia in a mess, a situation that steadily worsened to 142-8. Finding an ally in the unlikely form of Doug Bollinger, who batted far better than his career figures suggested was possible, he took Australia to the comparative strength of 230. A partnership that had started out as an amusing diversion ended up yielding eighty eight runs and, effectively, winning the game for Australia. Once the partnership was broken the final wicket fell almost straight away but the damage had been done.

An hour or so before England would have been anticipating chasing 180 at most, but now found themselves chasing a significantly larger score in bowler friendly condition. In truth, they made a pretty poor fist of it, although Bollinger in particular bowled superbly. The frustration for England will be that a number of batsmen made starts but none were able to go on and play the match winning innings. Even Jonathan Trott, usually so hard to shift, fell after having established himself.

It was another intriguing game in a series that is shaping up nicely. Australia lead 2-0 but England know that they have created opportunities to win both games. The two sides look pretty well matched, but England need to re-discover the killer instinct that served them so well in the tests.