Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has made headlines once again, as he slammed his third century in Test cricket on the opening day of the 3rd Ashes Test against England at Headingley. The 31-year-old, who returned to the Test side after four years, played a remarkable counter-attacking innings after Australia found themselves struggling at 85/4 in the first session.
Winning the toss and electing to field, England had a strong start as their bowlers quickly removed Australia’s top four batters with just under 100 runs on the board. However, Marsh defied the odds and took charge against the English seamers. Partnering with Travis Head, Marsh steered Australia past the 200-run mark and reached his century off just 102 balls in the 48th over.
Grabbing the opportunity with both hands 💪#MitchellMarsh brings up a splendid hundred to kick off his Ashes campaign 🔥💯#SonySportsNetwork #TheAshes #Ashes2023 #RivalsForever #ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/OjvSXl5gJ5
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 6, 2023
Notably, Marsh earned his spot in the Australian XI after all-rounder Cameron Green was ruled out due to a hamstring strain. This Test match marked Marsh’s comeback to the team since his last appearance during the 2019 Ashes at The Oval. The talented all-rounder made the most of his opportunity in the UK and played an aggressive innings, hitting 15 fours and 3 sixes en route to his century.
Even after reaching the milestone, Marsh continued to dominate the English bowlers. However, he was eventually outfoxed by Chris Woakes on the final ball before tea. Marsh finished with a superb knock of 118 runs off just 118 balls, including 17 fours and 4 sixes.
It is worth noting that all three of Marsh’s Test centuries have come against England, but this was his first away from home. Having made his Test debut in 2014, Marsh’s career tally now stands at 1,378 runs from 33 Tests, averaging 27.01. Alongside his centuries, he has also scored five half-centuries and maintains a strike rate of 52.91 in the format.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Mitchell Marsh 🙌
Walked in at 85/4 and has made a hundred in his first Test match since 2019 😎#WTC25 | #ENGvAUS 📝: https://t.co/CIqx6cWyPZ pic.twitter.com/h7z73gMIPF
— ICC (@ICC) July 6, 2023
What an outstanding 100, great counter -attack from Mitchell Marsh. #Ashes pic.twitter.com/8gcITRxdxV
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 6, 2023
Hundred by Mitchell Marsh!
What a return to Test side – Australia were under pressure and Marsh delivers with a century in just 102 balls. pic.twitter.com/rcAd5or5GA
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 6, 2023
Mitchell Marsh in Tests:
3 hundreds from 12 innings vs England.
3 fifties from 44 innings vs Rest of the other teams. pic.twitter.com/UdOALO6Isy
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 6, 2023
Guy is playing BazBall against England..
Mitchell Marsh 100*(102) with 15 fours & 3 sixes.
3rd Test 100 & 3rd against England to. pic.twitter.com/wWpyGC9EKS
— Nawaz 🇵🇰 (@Rnawaz31888) July 6, 2023
Mitchell Marsh comeback in Australia team after 4 years and he scored a magnificent hundred in this Ashes.
What a comeback – Take a bow, Mitchell Marsh. pic.twitter.com/IuInpNewwm
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) July 6, 2023
Mitchell Marsh playing brutally against England 100 completed #Ashes#MitchellMarsh#Ashes2023 pic.twitter.com/UDAE7xadUY
— Ansh 🇳🇿🇳🇿 (@cricketansh12) July 6, 2023
Mitchell Marsh in Test matches-
– Against England – 3 centuries in just 12 innings.
– Against other teams- 3 fifties in 44 innings.#Ashes2023 pic.twitter.com/7oEeboHfmq— Vipin Tiwari (@vipintiwari952) July 6, 2023
Fierce cuts, imperious pulls, punctuated with straight drives, that's a counter attacking exhibition from Mitchell Marsh.
— Prasanna M R (@mrprasanna23) July 6, 2023
What a brilliant inning Mitchell Marsh 😳🔥 #AUSvsENG
— Vivek Mishra (@VivekMi72251474) July 6, 2023
Highest batting average in Ashes tests this century ( min 500 runs)
59.27 – Michael Hussey
57.71 – Steve Smith
56.90 – Steve Waugh
52.7 – Mitchell Marsh
50.91 – Justin Langer#Ashes2023#smith pic.twitter.com/bs8kS6q3yJ— Deepak Modi (@techysavyy) July 6, 2023
Mitchell Marsh came out of the syllabus !!! #Ashes2023
— Priyanshu Bhardwaj 🇮🇳 (@Priyanshuuu_51) July 6, 2023
💯 for Mitchell Marsh! What a time to do it. #Ashes2023 pic.twitter.com/BspglVJuFO
— Faiz Fazel (@theFaizFazel) July 6, 2023
DEAR MITCH MARSH
change your opinion that whole of the Australia hates you!
WE FUCKING LOVE YOU MARSH!❤️the T20WC champ saved us today as well!#Ashes2023 #Ashes #AUSvsENG #ENGvAUS #mitchellmarsh #SteveSmith pic.twitter.com/MHJCh0nhVg
— Shubh Sinha (@iamshubhsinha) July 6, 2023
Having last played a Test in 2019 and to come out to bat in a precarious situation at 85/4 ….
This just shows the beautiful depth in Australian cricket at the very moment.
Take a gentle bow, Mitchell Marsh 💛pic.twitter.com/YxFjNMwtrf
— North Stand Gang – Wankhede (@NorthStandGang) July 6, 2023
The bazball has worked well for Australia than for England #Ashes2023 #MitchellMarsh
— SUYASH_0403 (@ShirodkarSuyash) July 6, 2023
#MitchellMarsh showed #England how to correctly do #Bazball, What a knock!!🔥🔥#TheAshes2023 #ENGvsAUS
— Krish Narang (@kn_dhoni) July 6, 2023
#Ashes2023 Mitchell Marsh. What a performance
— Dr Prashant Jaju (@docprashant_jaj) July 6, 2023
You gotta love Test Cricket.
What an innings Mitchell Marsh 💯
What a Knock 👏#Ashes#Ashes23#Ashes2023#ENGvAUS#TestCricket#CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/qlVvYIbm0A
— Rams (@JuliasMotaung) July 6, 2023