Marsh, Turner ready themselves for Windies series with handy knocks
GROS ISLET, St Lucia, CMC – Allrounder Mitchell Marsh warmed up for Friday’s start of Australia’s five-match Twenty20 International series against West Indies, when he lashed a pulsating half-century in an inter-squad warm-up game here Monday.
Featuring for an Australia I side led by Aaron Finch, Marsh struck 56 off 28 deliveries as they chased down 194 in a 22-over per side contest at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground.
The right-hander belted four fours and four sixes batting at number three, putting on 42 for the third wicket with Josh Philippe who struck 39 from 35 deliveries, with two fours and a six, to pull the innings around from 39 for two in the sixth over.
Marsh then added a further 47 for the fourth wicket with Ashton Turner who made 45, before perishing in the 16th over.
Turner continued the assault, hitting four fours and a six in a quick-fire 28-ball knock and was key in the last over with ten runs needed for victory, launching fast bowler Andrew Tye (2-35) for a six off the
first delivery.
Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood finished
with two for 44.
Earlier, Dan Christian top-scored with 47 from 31 deliveries while Moises Henriques chipped in with 36 and Alex Carey, 30, as Australia II reached 193 for five off their quota of overs.
Carey punched three fours and two sixes off 22 deliveries with Ben McDermott (21) before being dismissed in the eighth over, and Christian and Henriques put on 54 for the fourth wicket to provide the innings with further impetus.
Christian counted three fours and two sixes while Henriques lashed two fours and two sixes off 27 balls before falling in the 17th over.
Asked to bat a second time, McDermott finished on 25 not out off all balls in a 40run fifth wicket stand with Christian.
Rookie speedster Riley Meredith claimed two for 39.
Following the five-match series against West Indies here, Australia will fly to Barbados for a three-match One-Day International series at Kensington Oval starting July 20.
West Indies are coming off a 3-2 defeat to South Africa in a five-match T20 series staged in Grenada over the last two weeks.