Mitch falls for 96 but Aussies seize control

MITCH Marsh has fallen one boundary short of his first Test ton overseas, but the reformed all-rounder has helped Australia to post a first-innings total of 351 in the series opener against South Africa.

Marsh applied himself diligently in Durban for 265 minutes, only to throw his wicket away during the post-lunch session on day two of the first Test. Marsh was on 96 when he attempted to smash the ball to the rope but directed it to Morne Morkel at mid-on, with Steve Smith struggling to hide his disbelief in the stands.

It was not an elegant way to end his innings, which featured sharp chances on 42 and 66, but the West Australian’s knock was the difference between a sub-par total and something respectable. CAMERON Bancroft sat with David Warner for heart-toheart advice on how to fight his way out of trouble and prove himself in Test cricket. Warner threw his support behind his embattled partner and implored Bancroft to transport himself back to the innings that earned him a baggy green in the first place.

Warner hasn’t forgotten the brilliant hundred Bancroft made for Western Australia against NSW’s all-Australian bowling attack to demand Test selection way back in November and last night urged his comrade not to lose sight of what he’s capable of.

“We had a good conversation today. We sat upstairs for quite a while and I spoke to him about the way he approaches it,” Warner said.

“[I asked] do you feel like sometimes you have to go after the ball or is it nervous energy?

“He was quite insightful with what he was saying to me and I understood him.

“It’s just not happening out there at the moment. It will happen, you just need a bit of luck in this game.”