Mitchell Marsh hammers his maiden ODI World Cup century: Stats
Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh was at his dominant best as he hammered a solid ton against Pakistan in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup. This is his second century in ODIs and his first in the ODI World Cup. Notably, this is Marsh's second consecutive 50-plus score in the ongoing event. Marsh's 121 was studded with nine sixes and 10 boundaries. Here's more.
A blazing ton from Marsh
Marsh started attacking the Pakistani bowlers from the outset. He punished the loose deliveries and was gradually setting the tone for a big innings. He hammered three consecutive fours in Haris Rauf's first over. He and Warner slowed down when the spinners were bowling in tandem but didn't shy away from capitalizing on loose balls. They complimented each other brilliantly to add 259 runs.
Second ODI century for Marsh
This is only Marsh's second ODI century and both of them have come after he started batting in the top order. Marsh owns 2,411 runs from 83 ODIs at 34.94. Marsh owns a strike rate of 94.64. Besides two centuries, he has 18 fifties. As per ESPNcricinfo, Marsh has surpassed 500 ODI runs in Asia (534). In India, he has 474 runs at 59.25.
Marsh and Warner scripted these partnership records
Marsh and David Warner stitched a 259-run opening partnership. This is Australia's highest-ever opening stand in the ODI World Cup. They surpassed Brad Haddin and Shane Watson's 183-run opening stand in the 2011 World Cup in Bengaluru. This is the highest partnership against Pakistan in the ODI World Cup. Warner and Marsh have surpassed Desmond Haynes and Brian Lara's 175-run stand from 1992.
Most runs for Australia in the first 10 overs
As per Cricbuzz, Australia's 82/0 today clocked their highest score in the first 10 overs of a World Cup innings (where data is available*), bettering their 80/0 in the 2003 World Cup final against India at the Wanderers, Johannesburg.
Marsh records these powerplay stats in ODIs this year
Marsh has amassed 307 runs in the powerplay (1-10) in 2023. In 13 innings, he owns an impressive average of 61.40 in this phase. He has scored at a fine strike rate of 115. 84. Among Australians, only Warner (313) has scored more runs in this phase in 2023. Rohit Sharma leads the race with 554 powerplay runs in ODIs (2023).
Warner and Marsh script this World Cup record
Warner and Marsh both slammed centuries and this is only the fourth time in the ODI World Cup history that both openers have hammered centuries. As per Bharath Seervi, the list also includes Upul Tharanga (133) and TM Dilshan (144) versus Zimbabwe in 2011. Tharanga (102*) and Dilshan (108*) versus England in 2011. KL Rahul (111) and Rohit (103) against SL in 2019.
Marsh becomes the first Aussie with this unique record
Marsh has become the sixth player in ODIs to smash a ton on his birthday. He is also the first Aussie to register the record. Marsh has joined Tom Latham, Sachin Tendulkar, Ross Taylor, Sanath Jayasuriya, and Vinod Kambli. Meanwhile, he is the second player to register a World Cup hundred on his birthday after Taylor's 131* vs Pakistan in Pallekele in 2011.
Marsh's form in 2023
Marsh is currently the second-highest scorer for Australia in ODIs this year. He has compiled 597 runs from 14 ODIs at an average of 45.92. He has hammered five fifties and a solitary century. Warner, who scored 163 today, leads the proceedings (618). Marnus Labuschagne is the only Aussie batter to score 500-plus runs this year.
