Marsh lauds English effort

Australia

Australia middle-order batsman Shaun Marsh had a fair amount of praise for the effort shown by the England bowlers in Sydney.

The home side piled on the runs on day four in sweltering heat but Marsh feels that the tourists bowled well in the conditions.

Marsh was especially glowing in his appraisal of James Anderson who has consistently been England’s best bowler on the tour.

Speaking to ABC after play on day four of the fifth Ashes Test Marsh said:  “I thought he [Anderson] bowled fantastically well today. It was hard work. He’s been a tough bowler to face all series. He doesn’t give you any four balls to hit.”

Marsh also feels that Mason Crane, who returned figures of 1/193 while Australia amassed 649/7 on a flat wicket at the SCG, saying the young leggie has a good variety of deliveries.

He said of Crane: “He’s got a lot of potential. He spins the ball and he’s got some varieties there.”

Marsh hit 156 enjoying a big stand with his brother Mitchell and thoroughly enjoyed his day.

He added: “It was a lot of fun to be out there with Mitch. It’s been a fantastic day. For me, I try and take it one game at a time and keep enjoying it.

“It was great to be out there with my brother when he got that hundred. Just lucky he didn’t get run out! I think emotions got the better of me and I just wanted to give him a hug, and sort of forgot the ball was in play.

“I saw him starting to celebrate and luckily enough, it all worked out well. It was pretty funny in the changing room at lunch time. Steve Smith’s reaction was pretty funny.”

Marsh is enjoying his current batting form but is trying not to overthink things having made two hundreds in this Ashes series after a period on the sidelines.

He said: “I went to England and really enjoyed it over there. When I came back, I didn’t put any expectations on myself. I tried not to put too much pressure on myself and enjoy it for what it is.”

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