Marsh destroys England
Hits ton as Australia lead series 2-0, World Cup concerns plaque both sides.
HOBART:
Shaun Marsh batted himself into contention for the World Cup with a match-winning solo effort in Australia’s 46-run win over England.
Marsh, left out of Australia’s World Cup squad, and the only player not in that squad playing on Friday, posted his second One-Day International (ODI) century as Australia made 230 from 48.2 overs.
In reply, England never recovered from an early double-strike by fast-bowler Doug Bollinger (four for 28), who also contributed valuable tail-end runs with the bat. They were dismissed for just 184 in 45 overs as Australia took a 2-0 lead in the seven-match series.
Injury trouble for hosts
But just a month out from the World Cup, spinner Nathan Hauritz appeared to suffer a serious shoulder injury, while injury-plagued paceman Shaun Tait was forced from the field by a thigh strain.
Hauritz, in his first international of the season, appeared to dislocate his right shoulder in the field and was rushed to hospital for X-rays. Australia’s acting captain Michael Clarke said he hoped both players would be fit for the World Cup. “We’re confident that they’ll both be right for the World Cup. It is a setback though,” said Clarke.
“More than likely, Hauritz is going to struggle to take any more part in this series.
“Shaun, I think it’s his upper thigh. He’ll have a scan tomorrow as well but we’re hoping that’s not too bad.”
Marsh paves victory path
Marsh brought up his century in the best fashion possible, lofting Michael Yardy over mid-wicket for six from the 101st delivery he faced, having hit the previous two balls for four. Marsh was the last man to fall.
The home side were in deep trouble at 142 for eight, before Marsh and number 10 Doug Bollinger rallied to the cause by adding an unlikely 88, a record ninth-wicket stand for Australia in ODIs.
‘A disappointing display’
England captain Andrew Strauss offered no excuses as his side slumped to a second consecutive ODI defeat.
“It was a very disappointing display, simply not good enough,” said Strauss.
“We allowed them to get too many having had them 142 for eight, then batted poorly. We have got a lot of hard work to do.”
Strauss concerned
With the World Cup less than a month away, Strauss seemed concerned by his side’s form in the two ODI matches. A six-wicket defeat in Melbourne preceded Friday’s defeat in Hobart. “The World Cup is in the back of our mind,” said Strauss. “But we’ve still got to pick the right side for the occasion in this series. Now we’ve got to look at what went wrong and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2011.
Shaun Marsh batted himself into contention for the World Cup with a match-winning solo effort in Australia’s 46-run win over England.
Marsh, left out of Australia’s World Cup squad, and the only player not in that squad playing on Friday, posted his second One-Day International (ODI) century as Australia made 230 from 48.2 overs.
In reply, England never recovered from an early double-strike by fast-bowler Doug Bollinger (four for 28), who also contributed valuable tail-end runs with the bat. They were dismissed for just 184 in 45 overs as Australia took a 2-0 lead in the seven-match series.
Injury trouble for hosts
But just a month out from the World Cup, spinner Nathan Hauritz appeared to suffer a serious shoulder injury, while injury-plagued paceman Shaun Tait was forced from the field by a thigh strain.
Hauritz, in his first international of the season, appeared to dislocate his right shoulder in the field and was rushed to hospital for X-rays. Australia’s acting captain Michael Clarke said he hoped both players would be fit for the World Cup. “We’re confident that they’ll both be right for the World Cup. It is a setback though,” said Clarke.
“More than likely, Hauritz is going to struggle to take any more part in this series.
“Shaun, I think it’s his upper thigh. He’ll have a scan tomorrow as well but we’re hoping that’s not too bad.”
Marsh paves victory path
Marsh brought up his century in the best fashion possible, lofting Michael Yardy over mid-wicket for six from the 101st delivery he faced, having hit the previous two balls for four. Marsh was the last man to fall.
The home side were in deep trouble at 142 for eight, before Marsh and number 10 Doug Bollinger rallied to the cause by adding an unlikely 88, a record ninth-wicket stand for Australia in ODIs.
‘A disappointing display’
England captain Andrew Strauss offered no excuses as his side slumped to a second consecutive ODI defeat.
“It was a very disappointing display, simply not good enough,” said Strauss.
“We allowed them to get too many having had them 142 for eight, then batted poorly. We have got a lot of hard work to do.”
Strauss concerned
With the World Cup less than a month away, Strauss seemed concerned by his side’s form in the two ODI matches. A six-wicket defeat in Melbourne preceded Friday’s defeat in Hobart. “The World Cup is in the back of our mind,” said Strauss. “But we’ve still got to pick the right side for the occasion in this series. Now we’ve got to look at what went wrong and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2011.