Australia’s cricket star Mitchell Marsh stands just 33 runs away from a huge milestone—reaching 7,000 runs in international cricket—as the teams gear up for the second T20I against New Zealand on Friday in Mount Maunganui.
The Aussies already hold a 1-0 lead in the series after a strong win in the opener. New Zealand needs a victory here to even the score and stay in the race for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy. Fans are buzzing about Marsh, the team’s captain and opener, who could hit this career landmark during the match.
Since bursting onto the scene in 2011, Marsh has played 216 international games across all formats. He’s racked up 6,967 runs in 243 innings, boasting an average of 32.55, seven centuries, and 40 fifties. He shines brightest in ODIs, where he’s scored 3,000 runs in 96 matches and 92 innings at a solid 37.03 average. His strike rate there tops 95, with four centuries and 20 half-centuries—his highest being an unbeaten 177.
In T20Is, Marsh ranks as Australia’s fourth-highest run-scorer with 1,884 runs from 74 matches and 71 innings. He averages 31.40, hits a blistering strike rate of 137.92, and has notched 11 fifties, including a best of 92 not out.
This year, Marsh has been on fire in T20Is, piling up 255 runs in nine innings at 28.33 average and a strike rate of 156.44. That’s two fifties and a top score of 85. Across all internationals in 2024, he’s tallied 461 runs in 12 matches and innings, averaging 38.41, with one century and three fifties—his best being 100.
Looking back at the first T20I, Australia chose to bowl and rattled New Zealand early, reducing them to 6/3. But Tim Robinson smashed an unbeaten 106 off 66 balls—packed with six fours and five sixes—while Daryl Mitchell added 34 off 23 (three fours, one six) in a key 92-run partnership. That helped the Kiwis post 181/6, with Ben Dwarshuis taking 2/40 as Australia’s top bowler.
In the chase, Marsh led the way with a explosive 85 off 43 balls, featuring nine fours and five sixes. He teamed up with Travis Head for a 67-run opening stand—Head made 31 off 18 with six fours—sealing the game right in the powerplay. Matthew Short chipped in 29 off 18 (two fours, two sixes), and Tim David finished with 21 not out off 12 (one four, two sixes). Australia cruised home with six wickets and 21 balls to spare.
Australia’s squad for the match: Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Matthew Short, Tim David, Alex Carey (w), Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Owen, Ben Dwarshuis, Xavier Bartlett, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Sean Abbott, Matthew Kuhnemann, Josh Philippe.
New Zealand’s lineup: Tim Seifert (w), Devon Conway, Tim Robinson, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Bevon Jacobs, Michael Bracewell (c), Zakary Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi, James Neesham, Ben Sears.
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