Marsh: Winning ODI better than IPL payday

Cricket365
February 9, 2016

Australia all-rounder Mitchell Marsh enjoyed an above-average Saturday as he was the Man of the Match in the second ODI win against New Zealand, and also sold for a million US dollars in the IPL auction.

But when asked which of the two pleased him more, he kept his country at the forefront and said that the best part of his day was scoring 69 not out to lead his side to victory, and level the series.

Marsh was bought by the Rising Pune Supergiants, the new franchise that also purchased Kevin Pietersen, but it was done while he was in the field. Aside from his runs, Marsh also took two wickets.

Marsh told Optus Sport's Across the Ditch: "It's pretty amazing, I was actually waiting to bat and some bloke yelled it out in the crowd so it was a bit of an awkward way to find out.

"Yeah, look, (it was a) pretty special day but most importantly for me we're back in this one-day series for my country and that's the best part of my day."

Marsh was part of an unbeaten 86-run stand with John Hastings as Australia won by four wickets, and the pair rescued Australia's chase after a flurry of wickets in the middle overs.

Marsh added: "We were in a bit of trouble there and obviously the partnership with big John Hastings (48no) was awesome fun. It was a scrappy win but we're back in the series now, (and) that's what we came here to do today.

"I just said to John, just to keep backing himself, watch the ball as hard as he can and try to take it as deep into the innings as we could, because we knew we were ahead of the run rate … I told him to give himself a bit of extra time and watch the ball and back himself.

"It was an unbelievable innings for him to come in at number eight and do that."