Marshs ton propels Aussies to 350

Riding on a brilliant maiden hundred by Shaun Marsh and swashbuckling innings from Shane Watson and Cameron White, Australia amassed a massive 350 for the loss of four wickets against India in the fifth match of the seven-match series being played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here on Thursday.

The Australian top order - Marsh (112, 112b, 8x4, 2x6), Watson (93, 89b, 9x4, 3x6), Ponting (45, 45b, 3x4, 1x6), White (57, 32b, 2x4, 5x6) and Hussey (31 n.o, 22b, 1x4, 2x6), feasted on an hapless Indian bowling attack to post a daunting total. The visitors never took their feet off the accelerator throughout the innings.

Shaun Marsh, son of former Australian opener Geoff Marsh, paced his innings very well. The 26-year-old from Western Australia scored his first hundred in his 18th ODI appearance. Marsh reached his hundred in the 41st over of the innings when he glided Jadeja to the point region and ran a couple. His 50 came off 63 balls and the century came off 104 balls. He used his feet well to tackle Harbhajan and Jadeja. Marsh danced down the track to hit Harbhajan over the bowlers head for a six that crashed into the sight screen.

Marsh perished while attempting to score another six of Nehra when he failed to clear the deep midwicket fielder. Gambhir took a good catch to see the back of Marsh but by the time the southpaw has laid a solid foundation for his team.

Electing to bat on a batting beauty, Watson and Marsh put on 145 runs for the first wicket. Watson, in particular was very severe on the Indian pace bowlers. The 28-year-old all rounder pulled Nehra twice over the midwicket for two big sixes and another straight six on to the sight screen off Munaf stood out in his brave innings.

Watson took little time to settle in and played shots all over the park. He did not allow the Indian medium pace bowlers to find their rhythm. On the other hand, Shuan Marsh played second fiddle to his senior partner.

-- (UNI) -- 05SPM7.xml

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