Mitchell Marsh obliterated Bangladesh's bowling attack to help Australia pull off their biggest run chase in World Cups. Marsh broke former Indian opener Virender Sehwag's record of the highest individual score against Bangladesh in the World Cup. Sehwag scored 175 runs from 140 balls against Bangladesh in the 2011 World Cup. Marsh remained unbeaten for 177 off 132 balls against Najmul Hossain Shanto in the ongoing ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023.
The previous-highest score by an Australian batter against Bangladesh in World Cups belonged to Marsh's teammate David Warner. The opener had scored 166 runs from 147 balls in the previous edition of the World Cup. There are only four other batters who have scored 150 or more against Bangladesh in World Cups including South Africa's Quinton de Kock (174), Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan (161), and England’s Jason Roy (153).
Marsh's unbeaten 177 is the second-highest score against Bangladesh in an ODI run chase. Shane Watson had scored 185 not out against them in 2011.
“It feels great, obviously to finish off the league games with another win was great for the boys. It was important for me to back myself at 3, knowing when Head comes back, I'll have to go down to 3. Have failed a few times, but have backed myself to perform,” Marsh said after he was named the ‘Player of the Match’ for his sensational knock.
Marsh dedicated the knock to his late grandfather who had recently passed away as he said, “Sure my mum and dad would be watching back home and they would be happy with this, my grandpop (who passed away last week) was a great man and I'm sure he'd be happy out there.”
While Marsh was attacking with the bat, he took a beating when he bowled a few overs against Bangladesh batters. He conceded 48 runs and remained wicketless from four overs. Marsh was happy he could make a comeback in the second innings.
“I think we're peaking well at the moment and looking forward to the semi-finals in Kolkata. It's rare that you'd win the Man of the Match award after going for nearly fifty from 4 overs, but I would want to contribute more to the team,” the 32-year-old concluded.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
PAK vs ENG: Haris Rauf scripts embarrassing World Record to double up Pakistan's misery
