'Unbelievable' Shaun Marsh century inspires Cup win for WA
A defiant century by Shaun Marsh has steered Western Australia to a tense four-wicket victory over Queensland in the domestic one-day final in Brisbane.
Ex-Test batsman Marsh stood tall as wickets fell around him, stroking a chanceless 101 not out to steady a wobbly WA and guide them to 6-210 in the 48th over, sealing their 14th domestic one-day crown.
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Marsh showed steely resolve in his three-hour, 132-ball knock that featured 13 fours, marking his ninth one-day ton for WA.
Another 50 for Shaun Marsh! #MarshCup final live: https://t.co/KZTnWMFihd pic.twitter.com/7hCl3YZPa7
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 26, 2019
Marsh launched his rescue mission with a 97-run fourth wicket stand with Marcus Stoinis (37) before icing the result in an unbeaten 59-run partnership with Ashton Agar (29 not out) following some anxious moments for the visitors at Allan Border Field.
Set what looked like a paltry victory target of 206, WA made a disastrous start when they slumped to 3-23 in the seventh over.
Bulls quick Michael Neser (2-34) looked dangerous as fellow Test squad member Cameron Bancroft (eight), D'Arcy Short (five) and WA captain Ashton Turner (three) all came and went in quick succession.
But Marsh and Stoinis threatened to snatch the game away from Queensland in an ominous counter attack.
They first consolidated then began punishing a Bulls attack that appeared to have dropped their heads.
Bulls captain Usman Khawaja rolled the dice and threw specialist batsman Matthew Renshaw the ball - with surprising results.
Stoinis looked set to help himself to a fourth six of his innings, only to thrash Renshaw's half-tracker to Sam Heazlett on the boundary.
Next over Renshaw snaffled up a sharp slips chance to snare Hilton Cartwright (five) and WA had gone from 3-120 to 5-133.
Marsh could only look on from the other end as it got worse for the visitors when they were reduced to 6-151 after all-rounder Cameron Green fell for seven in the 35th over.
But Marsh and Agar held their nerve to ensure WA clinched their second domestic one-day title in three years.
The match-winning century from Marsh had fans singing the veteran batsman's praises on social media.
In the final of the #MarshCup - Shaun Marsh has produced a superb 100! 🙌#ShaunMarshCup pic.twitter.com/Sk2YF5cdj7
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 26, 2019
Well played Shaun Marsh 👏 ... 101no as WA chase down 206 to beat Queensland at Allan Border field to win the aptly named Marsh Cup one-day title by four wickets 🏏
— Glenn Mitchell (@MitchellGlenn) November 26, 2019
Shaun Marsh is a cut above any other batsman I have seen in the match so far. He is in imperious form, his back-foot cover drives a delight to watch. Hard to believe his first match in this format was on 6 November 2002...
— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) November 26, 2019
Brilliant knock by Shaun Marsh, securing the win for WA https://t.co/PQ2WlCKBpC
— Jonathon Mann (@themann) November 26, 2019
Love watching Shaun Marsh bat. What a great game for @WACA_Cricket . Excellent bowling & fielding in 1st innings & then a memorable SOS 100. Congratulations all 🏆🙌🏻🙌🏻
— Jenny Wallace (@jwal032) November 26, 2019
How good is Shaun Marsh? Yet another hundred today. Unbelievable form across formats.
Pakistan and then NZ can count themselves lucky he is out of favour this summer.— Peter Borren (@dutchiepdb) November 26, 2019
Bravo 👏 Shaun Marsh
— Justin Wearne (@JustinWearne) November 26, 2019
Brilliant 101* from Shaun Marsh wins the #MarshCup Title for Western Australia.
Marsh again shows what a capable white-ball player he is. Great innings!#QLDvWA #Cricket— CricBlog (@cric_blog) November 26, 2019
Earlier, Jhye Richardson (3-35 off 10 overs) and Nathan Coulter-Nile (3-47) ripped through Queensland's top order - including the prized scalp of Khawaja - after WA won the toss.
The Bulls were bowled out for 205 in the 50th over after a fighting 79 from wicketkeeper James Peirson.
With AAP