WORLD CUP DILEMMA LOOMS
INJURIES have demanded oneday experimentation in India and the results have given Australian selectors food for thought after a demolition of the home side in game two of the series.
While Mitchell Starc was the matchwinner with a withering spell of fast bowling as the tourists inflicted India’s biggest ODI defeat at home, the efforts around him were telling.
Mitchell Marsh was near unstoppable for a second straight game opening the batting as he and Travis Head reeled in the meagre target of 117 without losing a wicket.
While Head was seen as the likely replacement for retired captain Aaron Finch at the top of the order, Marsh has shown he is also up to the task.
He’s pounded 11 sixes in scores of 81 to start the series and then an unbeaten 66, his 147 runs coming off just 101 balls, with 16 fours as well in a powerhouse display of batting.
India captain Rohit Sharma was effusive in his praise for the big-hitting Marsh, who now looms as a potential World Cup opener.
“Definitely in the top three, top four when it comes to power,” Sharma said. “You saw, he could just stand and deliver and play the shots. He backs himself to do that.”
Sean Abbott and Nathan Ellis, playing in the absence of skipper Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, took three and two wickets respectively, ensuring when time comes to pick Australia’s 15-player squad for the World Cup in India later this year, selectors will face more debate about who to leave out than who to pick.
Starc, who took his ninth five-wicket haul in ODI cricket, said it was hard not to be pleased with such a dominant win. Game three of the series is in Chennai on Wednesday.