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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 \u2013 by chance \u2013 to the top order in March.<\/p>\n
And the results are telling.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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Mitch Marsh has shown his power at the top of the order.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n This compares to his overall career average of 36.90 and strike rate of 96.37 in 87 matches.<\/p>\n While the national selectors should be praised for their role in Marsh\u2019s 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\u2019s World Cup semi-final against South Africa in Kolkata.<\/p>\n 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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n When Warner returned for game three, the selectors retained faith in Marsh, with Warner used for the first time ever at No.4.<\/p>\n The chance to begin an innings in the opening power play with only two men outside the inner circle has given the man nicknamed \u201cthe Bison\u201d even greater impetus, and rival captains extended grief.<\/p>\n \u201cDefinitely in the top three, top four when it comes to power,\u201d India captain Rohit Sharma said of Marsh.<\/p>\n \u201cYou saw, he could just stand and deliver and play the shots. He backs himself to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n Once Marsh pierces the infield on the subcontinent, the lightning fast outfields mean it\u2019s effectively a boundary. Marsh has lapped this up, not to mention his penchant for going aerial, where his full power game is shown. This year alone he has thumped 42 sixes \u2013 almost half of his career total.<\/p>\n Under coach-selector Andrew McDonald, the Australians have been given a licence to back their individual games, playing to their strengths, even if that, in theory, increases the risk of failure.<\/p>\n McDonald has always been that way inclined, as he was during his time as coach of Victoria. For players such as Marsh, it allows freedom to play true to themselves in the more relaxed manner they crave.<\/p>\n \u201cMy whole game\u2019s been based around being brave and trusting that I\u2019m good enough to do what I do, and if I get out doing it that way then so be it,\u201d Marsh said.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess that\u2019s been our team philosophy, that\u2019s what made us a really good team over the last two years. So I\u2019m grateful to have the backing of everyone in our whole squad.\u201d<\/p>\n That philosophy was needed in South Africa in September when Marsh, captaining the side in the absence of Pat Cummins, made 17, 0, 29 and 6 as an opener through the opening four games at No.3, before a switch to the opening role when Travis Head had his left hand broken at Centurion.<\/p>\n Marsh began the World Cup as an opener but was shifted to No.3 against New Zealand when Head returned. Marsh lacked authority in that match, managing a lethargic 36 off 51 deliveries. This came amid Steve Smith\u2019s stated preference to bat at No.3, his customary position, turning the spotlight on Marsh, and potentially putting pressure on the selectors.<\/p>\n That debate intensified when Marsh missed the game against England to fly home to be with his grandfather Ross, who died this month. Smith made 44 at No.3.<\/p>\n But the selectors again retained faith when Marsh returned in time to face \u2013 and destroy \u2013 Bangladesh in Pune on Saturday with 11 boundaries and five sixes.<\/p>\n There is little chance Marsh will be displaced from the Australian team in the near future, particularly as he remains a potential captain of the side, should Cummins step aside.<\/p>\n Marsh is a much-loved figure in the Australian dressingroom, the all-rounder\u2019s self-deprecating humour on show post match.<\/p>\n \u201cI started negative 50 after my bowling, so I had to get a few back,\u201d Marsh said, sparking laughter from the room of reporters having been on the receiving end of punishment with 0-48 off four overs.<\/p>\n Former Australian captain and Nine commentator Mark Taylor said Marsh needed to maintain his aggressive mindset.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s that hitter of the ball, he\u2019s not a manoeuvrer of the ball, he\u2019s not like Steve Smith or Marnus Labuschagne who tend to use their wrists a lot more,\u201d Taylor said.<\/p>\n \u201cMitch Marsh is a hitter and I like it when he goes after the bowling.\u201d<\/p>\n The message is clear \u2013 watch out Proteas.<\/p>\nPower game<\/h3>\n
Staking a claim<\/h3>\n