New Delhi: Mitchell Marsh believes scoring 445 runs in the first innings has given Australia an advantage in the ongoing third Test of the Border-Gavaskar series against India in Brisbane.
Rain curtailed the first and third day’s action at the Gabba, still, Australia have put themselves in a dominant position after reducing India to 51/4 in response to 445.
Over 135 overs have been spoiled by rain in the test so far but March hopes that the weather will be kinder in the remaining two days of the match, allowing the hosts to claim the remaining 16 wickets needed to win.
As the five-match series is tied 1-1, the outcome of the Brisbane Test could decide the future of the contest.
“I think when you get sent in and you make 450, it’s always positive, and then I guess you earn the right to attack, especially early with the ball. Like I said before, now it’s just about how do we try and take 20 wickets. We’ve got six more to get, and then we just assess from there,” Marsh said.
Since their famous defeat to India after enforcing the follow-on at Eden Gardens in Kolkata in 2001, Australia have been shy at asking teams to follow on.
Asked if they would be forced to do it since a lot of overs have been wasted due to rain, Marsh said: “I think we’ve got six wickets to take first, but we know that we’ve got to take 20 wickets to try and win this Test and I guess all the conversations and all the planning will be, how do we do that…
“So, hopefully the weather holds off, and then tomorrow it’s just about coming in, having a crack, and see where we get to.”
‘Nervous to field at gully’
The all-rounder also admitted that he feels nervous while fielding at gully as he has to live up to the reputation of Cameron Green, who is the specialist close catch-in fielder.
Green is out of the series with a spine injury, that has put Marsh to field in that demanding position. He repaid the faith with a flying catch to dismiss Shubman Gill on day three.
“Yeah, I think since I’ve come back into the Test team, fielding at gully is probably when I feel the most nervous because Green is likely to go down as one of the best ever. If you drop one there, you’re always compared to him,” Marsh said.
“Any time I can do something like that — I probably didn’t even need to dive, to be fair — but I thought it had a bit of a moment, and it is a fun team. It’s a great team to be a part of.
“So, yeah, I like fielding there, but honestly, being at square leg is just as good.”
All-rounder Mitchell Marsh also admitted that he feels nervous while fielding at gully as he has to live up to the reputation of the injured Cameron Green, who is the specialist at that position. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
