His outstanding performance led Australia to a resounding eight-wicket triumph over South Africa on Friday, securing an insurmountable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
The home team was asked to bat first in Durban and managed to post a total of 164 for eight in their allotted 20 overs. However, this target never seemed daunting given the small boundaries at Kingsmead.
Australia breezed through their chase in just 14.5 overs, with Marsh once again showcasing his batting prowess. Following his unbeaten 92 in the previous match, he compiled an unbeaten 79 from 39 deliveries, featuring eight fours and six sixes.
Marsh and the impressive opener Matthew Short formed a scintillating partnership of 100 runs in just 45 balls for the second wicket. Short, who made his international debut in the first game of the series, notched up his maiden international half-century with a stylish and powerful 66 from 30 deliveries.
“It’s great, I’m proud of the boys because a series win in South Africa is hard to come by,” Marsh said at the post-match presentation.
“Tonight the game was set up by the bowlers, they were all fantastic.”
Home skipper Aiden Markram was the top scorer in South Africa’s innings with 49 from 38 balls after opener Temba Bavuma was fast out of the blocks with 35 off 17.
But Australia picked up wickets at regular intervals with some clever changes of pace and swing on a helpful wicket.
Seamers Shaun Abbott (3-22) and Nathan Ellis (3-25) were the pick of their bowlers, with Jason Behrendorff chipping in with a handy 2-25.
“Temba got us off to a great start but the loss of (regular) wickets made it challenging,” Markram said. “We wanted to take it deep. When they came on to bat it can be hard when there are two batters trying to muscle it out of the ground.”
The final match in the series is at the same venue on Sunday before the teams switch formats for a five-game One-Day International series ahead of the World Cup that starts in India next month.
(With inputs from Reuters)
