Marsh looking to cash in

Cricket365
December 16, 2017

Australia allrounder Mitchell Marsh said he was eager to make the most of a tiring England bowling attack in the third Ashes Test in Perth.

Marsh hit an unbeaten 181 on a third day when Australia took a decisive advantage adding 346 runs for the loss of just Shaun Marsh’s wicket.

Steve Smith cracked a dominant double-ton while Marsh played a game of power and placement and England looked lacklustre at best.

Marsh said after play on day three: “It was a great day for Australia – to only lose one wicket for the whole day has really put us in a strong position.

“They are obviously tired – anytime you spend 140 overs in the dirt it’s hard work and you walk off the ground very tired and sore.

“I am not sure we have broken their spirit but we’ve put ourselves in a very good position to win this match if we can bat well tomorrow [Sunday].”

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Marsh had a limited sympathy for the England bowlers toil against Smith having come up against him in the past.

He added: “I have felt what it’s like, captained against him when he played for New South Wales a couple of months ago.

“You come up with all these plans and none of them seem to work. He is a special player.”

Smith himself enjoyed batting on the surface which is likely to leave England dreading their Sunday.

The Australia skipper said after play: “It felt really good yesterday – I was in the zone and I told the boys when I got back in last night that I was just getting started.

“I wanted to cash in – I love scoring big runs for my country – and we wanted to be out in the middle and just keep batting.”

Australia lead England by 146 runs after three days of play with six first innings wickets in hand.