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Australia vs Pakistan 2nd Test Day 3: Mitch Marsh falls painfully short of century

Mitch Marsh had rescued Australia from a perilous position on Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test, only for disaster to strike in utter heartbreak.

Alex BlairAlex Blair
@alexblair_1
11 min read
December 28, 2023 - 8:38PM
Australia v Pakistan 2nd Test Day Three Highlights

Australia have their noses in front heading into Day 4 of the Boxing Day Test after Pakistan produced some moments of brilliance only to shoot themselves in the foot.

The Aussies were 6/187 at stumps on Day 3 with a lead of 241 runs, a far better position than when they fell to 4/16 — their worst start at the MCG since 1911.

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But just as Australia faced a rare challenge on home soil, Mitch Marsh and Steve Smith rescued the innings, putting on a 153-run partnership to give Australia a strong chance of victory.

It could have been a different story had Abdullah Shafique held onto a sitter of a catch at first slip to dismiss Mitch Marsh when Australia were 4/46 and in dire straits.

The dropped catch proved the turning point of the match and despite losing Marsh (96) and Smith (50) on the last ball of the day, it will take some special for Pakistan to win from here.

Marsh fell agonisingly short of a fourth Test century when Salman Ali Agha took a screamer in the slips to dismiss the danger man just four runs short of his fourth Test century.

Alex Carey will resume on 16 not out along with Mitchell Starc, who is yet to face a ball.

5.55pm - Smith brings up hard-fought fifty

Steve Smith has brought up his half-century after 153 balls at the crease. The Aussie vice-captain has had to work for his runs today but will feel reassured on his form after today.

He’s fended off the new ball and helped build Australia’s lead over 200.

He will now fight through to stumps with Alex Carey, who has just arrived at the crease and is struggling to pick up on the swing that has plagued everyone today.

5.35pm - Screamer sends Marsh packing 96

Pakistan have finally held a catch in the slip cordon and it put an end to Mitch Marsh’s incredible innings on 96. Marsh played beautifully to dig Australia out of a rut at 4/16 and looked like nothing would stop him on his way to his fourth Test ton.

But Mir Hamza had him flustered with a good length ball that caught the edge and went flying straight to the cordon. Salman Ali took a brilliant diving catch and that was it for Marsh.

The MCG was hushed as Marsh walked off with his shoulders slumped.

Alex Carey has now joined Steve Smith at the crease with Australia leading by 224.

Mitch Marsh’s family couldn't believe it.
Mitch Marsh’s family couldn't believe it.

5pm - Marsh puts sword to Pakistan

Mitchell Marsh has belted his way to 82 not out with Steve Smith playing the support role chipping away runs at the other end. Marsh has been a marvel through the off side, crunching multiple cut shots to the fence when the Pakistani bowlers dipped in consistency.

Australia is running away with day three after a massive early collapse, building a lead of over 200 runs just after 5pm.

Pakistan will be kicking themselves over Shafique dropping the Aussie No. 6 on 20, because it’s been a total Marsh-a-thon since then.

“All momentum was with Pakistan and then it just stopped,” Adam Gilchrist said.

4pm - Aussie collapse was worst in 112 years

Sports stats guru “Swamp” has told us Australia’s 4-16 start in the second innings is the worst the side has performed at the MCG in over a century.

But the Aussies have been able to fight back after tea, with Mitchell Mash and Steve Smith putting on a 100-run stand to build the lead closer to 200.

3.10pm - Marsh lets loose with 50 before Tea

Mitchell Marsh has taken the fight back to the Pakistani attack, getting a few boundaries away as he built a 50 partnership with Steve Smith. The pair have soldiered on and survived through the new ball to keep things in Australia’s favour.

Even though Marsh was almost out driving at a wide one, the West Australian wasn’t keen on retreating into a shell and began blasting some of the most powerful front foot drives you’ll find in world cricket.

Marsh got a massive cheer when he brought up his 50 from 70 balls, a stark contrast to the reception he received years ago at the MCG when he replaced hometown boy Peter Handscomb.

One square drive to the fence off the especially dangerous Shaheen Afridi showed just how good Marsh is at his best, and put a fair fright up the tourists’ skipper Shan Masood.

He will have to get creative with his bowling changeups and field placements if he wants to have the Aussies five down at tea.

Mitchell Marsh driving is why we watch cricket.
Mitchell Marsh driving is why we watch cricket.

2.35pm - Shafique drops another sitter

Pakistan almost had Australia at 5-46 but a dropped catch from Abdullah Shafique completely shattered the confidence of the touring side after drinks.

Mitchell Marsh flashed at a wide one from Aamer Jamal and edged the ball straight to the first slip, who completely bungled it and dropped it to the turf.

Pakistan’s fielding has been a thorn in its side for years and commentators couldn’t grasp why Shafique had been put back in the slips cordon after dropping a sitter earlier in the series.

“The Test match is on this catch, it’s a regulation grab,” Kerry O’Keeffe said. “They were almost five down, now they’re 4-50, they’ll be empowered by this.”

“You’ve got to feel sorry for Shafique, but he really shouldn’t be at first slip,” he said.

Former Pakistani fast bowler Waqar Younis agreed the catch might cost them the match.

“This might be the moment that Pakistan miss. This was a big, big opportunity which Abdullah Shafique, who is not having a great time in the slip, and this might be the difference between winning and losing this game,” he said on Channel Seven.

“Pakistan fought so, so hard through all of this match and that catch might cost them this match. Might. They have to catch easy, this was easy for Abdullah Shafique who is having a horror time in the slip.”

Marsh capitalised on his lifeline the very next ball, bludgeoning a drive through skipper Shan Masood and collecting a boundary.

Pakistan have been deflated by the dropped chance and will need to recoup to keep Australia away from building a solid lead.

2.28pm - Smith saved by the bounce

Steve Smith was working overtime to stay on top of the seaming ball midway through the second session. The former Aussie captain had scraped himself to 10 and was almost dismissed by Hasan Ali in his third over.

The Pakistani skidder got a ball to bounce a little higher and catch the shoulder of Smith’s bat. The ball shot back to first slipper Abdullah Shafique who took the catch on the bounce.

Umpires weren’t 100 per cent convinced and went upstairs, with the cameras confirming it had dropped an inch short.

Mitchell Marsh took the fight to the attack up the other end, nailing Aamer Jamal for three boundaries through point in a single over.

The home side have built their lead to over 100 at drinks.

Kerry O’Keeffe said the game was simple from here on -- whichever team is batting at stumps is the favourite to win.

Pakistan desperately need another wicket to keep their nose in front, while Australia will simply be looking to survive until tea.

1.45pm - Nightmare scenes as Australia lose two in a row

It is absolutely electric in the middle at the MCG after lunch with Australia losing two wickets in a row to Mir Hamza. David Warner tried pulling the Pakistani seamer but chopped the ball back onto the stumps. He fell for six in his last innings at the MCG and brought Travis Head to the crease as he gave a wave of the bat to the crowd.

But Head was gone first ball with a fuller ball swinging in and completely cleaning up his stumps.

Shaheen Afridi kept up the pressure from the other end, getting Mitchell Marsh in all sorts with a brilliant delivery steering back into his pads.

Adam Gilchrist said Australia is in “absolute disarray” at 4/16 with just 60 runs ahead of Pakistan.

Steve Smith was in trouble as well with the ball nipping past his outside edge multiple times. Mitchell Marsh tried to go on the counter attack and got a good one away for four, but it will be hard yakka for the Aussies this session as they fight through the new ball.

1.35pm - Play delayed by umpire stuck in lift

Well, this is a weird one. Richard Illingworth was stuck in a lift at the end of the lunch break and play was delayed until he could be retrieved.

“Sorry,” the MCG’s official Twitter account posted.

12.33pm - Khawaja out for a duck, Labuschagne falls

Shaheen Afridi produced an absolute jaffa in the first over to dismiss Usman Khawaja for a duck in the first over. It took just two balls for Afridi to hit the perfect spot with a delivery that nipped back and away from the left-hander.

Marnus Labuschagne arrived at the crease to face off against the new ball but survived just eight balls. Shaheen sent a ball angling down the leg side and the Aussie No. 3 couldn’t resist poking at it and sending an edge through to wicketkeeper Mohammed Rizwan.

Channel 7’s Tim Lane said Labuschagne appeared at a loss after throwing his wicket away on the last ball of the session.

“Marnus Labuschagne cannot believe it,” Lane said.

The teams have head to the sheds for lunch.

12.20pm - Cummins takes five, Pakistan all out for 264

Pat Cummins took his 10th five wicket haul with a brilliant ball to clean bowl Hasan Ali. The ball was pitched short of a length and jagged back into the Pakistani tailender.

Nathan Lyon cleaned up on the other end, taking the wicket of Mir Hamza, who tried sending him to the stands but edged it to Alex Carey.

Aamer Jamal showed some resistance at number eight, remaining at 33 not out at the end of the innings that included a monster six over mid wicket off Lyon’s bowling.

Pat Cummins took his 10th five wicket haul on day three.
Pat Cummins took his 10th five wicket haul on day three.

11.56am - Lyon traps Shaheen

Nathan Lyon took his third wicket of the innings, dismissing Shaheen Shah Afridi LBW with a ball tricked him for pace and skidded into his pads.

Lyon had tempted the outside edge with a brilliant ball that spun from middle stump to well outside off and got his man the very next delivery.

11.22am - Cummins snags his fourth

Pat Cummins struck with the first blow of the morning in his 17th over, tempting Mohammad Rizwan with a fuller delivery that he smashed straight into the hands of David Warner at cover.

Rizwan made a handy 42 but now the tail will need to do some serious work to equal Australia’s score.

11.12am - ‘Ridiculous’ Pakistan delay

Pakistan were doing well to survive the morning pace onslaught with Mohammad Rizwan getting a few away to the fence. But the Pakistani batsman was struck on the back by a short ball from Pat Cummins, who has spent the morning peppering the two overnight batsmen.

Commentators Mark Waugh, Ian Smith and Michael Vaughan were fuming at the amount of time the delay ate up from the morning session.

“That’s just part of batting, isn’t it?” Waugh said.

“What’s the physio going to do, he’s been hit on the back? He’s just got to say ‘No, off’. You can’t stop the game for a ball hitting a player on the back, surely.”

“We talk about over rates and value for money and entertainment ... it’s ridiculous.”

“12 overs were lost yesterday, and that gets put to one side and nobody bats an eyelid,” Michael Vaughan replied.

Ian Smith mentioned that with overs already being lost to light drizzle, the lengthy delay was disrespecting the 20,000 strong MCG crowd that arrived wanting some action.

Commentators Mark Waugh, Ian Smith and Michael Vaughan were fuming at the amount of time the delay ate up from the morning session.
Commentators Mark Waugh, Ian Smith and Michael Vaughan were fuming at the amount of time the delay ate up from the morning session.

10am - Rain delays play

Wet weather has fallen on Melbourne on Thursday morning and play has been delayed from the scheduled start time of 10am (AEDT).

Conditions are expected to improve throughout the day and the sun is expected to shine through the clouds in the afternoon sessions. A top of 20C is forecast.

10am - Marsh video shows dramatic change

Mitchell Marsh has laughed off the attention he has received for his “Ronaldo” act during the second day of play at the MCG.

The all-rounder was seen producing the football icon’s “siuuu” celebration for the adoring Melbourne crowd while fielding.

The 32-year-old had previously been treated like a villain in his previous Test appearance in Victoria after he replaced Victorian Peter Handscomb in 2018.

Marsh, who managed only 19 runs across two innings against India in that Test, was booed when running in to bowl.

Mitch Marsh was on fire. Photo: AFP and Twitter, @Lachy_Steele.
Mitch Marsh was on fire. Photo: AFP and Twitter, @Lachy_Steele.

Earlier this Test, Marsh was given a loud round of applause as he walked out to bat and the crowd was also heard chanting “Bison” — Marsh’s nickname because of his enormous head size.

It shows how significantly Australia’s attitude towards Marsh has changed. Plenty of revellers in the Shane Warne Stand were seen copying Marsh’s acrobatic antics.

“I couldn’t do the stretching because Heady took that over,” Marsh said after Travis Head had also played around with the crowd by pretending to do stretches while fielding near the fence.

“My nephew Austin loves his soccer so I thought of faking to do it hoping they wouldn’t realise what it was and they were all over it. I saw an opportunity to get them up and about.

“I never really thought I'd be back playing a Boxing Day Test match so I’ve certainly had the mentality that I’m going to enjoy it and entertain the crowd.

Cummins also spoke about the hilarious moment after the game.

“That was awesome,” he said.

“He (Marsh) actually said that as he was walking off, ‘Gee, it feels a long way away from a few years ago when I was getting a different reception’.”

During the 2019 Ashes series, an emotional Marsh opened up about his experience in Melbourne the previous year.

“Yeah, most of Australia hate me,” he said at the time.

It suddenly seems a long time ago.

9am — ‘Bugger me’: Ex-Aussie selector slams Warner

Former Australian selector Jamie Cox has criticised David Warner for suggesting Marcus Harris replace him as Test opener.

Warner scored 38 in the first innings of the Boxing Day Test and is set to retire with a home ground farewell at the New Year’s SCG Test.

The question of the cricket summer is who will the selectors choose to replace the 37-year-old at the top of the order going forward.

Australia's batsman David Warner. Photo by William WEST / AFP.
Australia's batsman David Warner. Photo by William WEST / AFP.

Speaking after play on Day 1, Warner called for Harris to be given first crack after his departure in the two-Test series against the West Indies.

“It is a tough one (and) it is obviously up to the selectors,” he said.

“But from my position, I feel like the person who has worked their backside off and has been there for a while in the background (is Harris). Harry’s been that person who has toured (and) he scored that 100 the other day and missed out in another couple of games but he’s always been the person who’s next in line.

“So if the selectors show their faith in him, then I’m sure he’ll come out and play the way he does. You know, he’s not too dissimilar to me.”

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Cox, who was an Australian selector between 2006 and 2011, didn’t approve of Warner publicly anointing his choice of successor.

“Well bugger me - another modern first!” Cox tweeted.

“I have never heard of a current player anointing their successor. What’s wrong with ‘that’s a question for George Bailey not me’? I need a lie down…!”

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