Marsh’s maiden century powers Aussies to T20 series win over New Zealand

Captain Mitchell Marsh scored a sparkling maiden Twenty20 century to steer Australia to a three-wicket win in the third and final match against New Zealand on Saturday, sealing a 2-0 series victory.

Opener Marsh completely dominated the run chase, hitting an unbeaten 103 off 52 balls as the tourists reached 160-7 with two overs to spare after New Zealand posted 156-9 at Bay Oval.

The 33-year-old played with a mix of power and patience as wickets fell around him, striking eight fours and seven sixes while defying the cold, damp evening conditions in Mount Maunganui.

Marsh’s century was raised from the first ball of the 18th over, reaching three figures for the first time in 76 T20 internationals.

All-rounder Jimmy Neesham (4-26) raised New Zealand’s hopes when he took four wickets from his first three overs of seam bowling midway through Australia’s chase, reducing them to 93-5.

Marsh adopted a more careful approach over the closing stages, combining cleverly with lower-order pair Mitchell Owen (14) and Sean Abbott (13 not out), who were the only other batsmen to reach double figures.

Marsh also was the key to Australia’s six-wicket win the first match of the series on Wednesday, making 85 from 43 balls.

“There was a bit of pressure there at the end but it’s obviously great to win an away series in New Zealand,” said Marsh, who had set his sights on batting through the innings.

“When you’re going like that, it’s just important that you keep going. It was probably a little bit closer than we would have liked, but we got there.”

Australia won a toss delayed by 15 minutes because of rain and happily bowled first on a pitch at Bay Oval that had been covered for most of the past two days in wet weather.

The ball bounced, seamed and swung and the

Opener Tim Seifert top-scored with 48 off 35 for the hosts after New Zealand were sent in.

Some late hitting from captain Michael Bracewell (26) and Neesham (25) helped set a competitive target, while seamer Abbott recorded Australia’s best figures of 3-25.

New Zealand batters were unable to establish regular partnerships. New Zealand’s score was the lowest by a team batting first in a T20 international at Bay Oval.

Marsh used his bowlers well, allowing Josh Hazlewood to bowl his four overs consecutively at the start of the innings as he continued to trouble the New Zealand batters. Hazlewood took 2-26, Xavier Bartlett 2-25 and Abbott 3-25. Among the slower bowlers, Marcus Stoinis’ first over was a wicket maiden. Bracewell said Marsh’s batting was the obvious difference.

“We threw everything we could at him, we used all of our resources and sometimes you have to tip your hat to him,” Bracewell said.

Australia’s six-wicket win in the first match on Wednesday was also built around Marsh.

The second match on Friday was abandoned because of rain.

Meanwhile, Sam Konstas’ push for an Ashes call-up began poorly, falling for just 4 on day one of New South Wales’ Sheffield Shield clash against Western Australia in Perth.

The 20-year-old opener was trapped LBW by Joel Paris in the seventh over, with the left-armer swinging the ball dangerously to leave NSW reeling at 1-9. Konstas had earlier survived two close LBW shouts and a dropped catch by keeper Joel Curtis. Play was halted by rain with NSW struggling at 3-35, after Kurtis Patterson also fell cheaply for 8 to Cameron Gannon. Only 25.1 overs were completed at the WACA.

Agencies