The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Marsh curse continues at Gabba

19th December, 2014
0

A runout mix-up with his brother seemed to be Mitch Marsh’s biggest fear before Australia’s second Test against India at the Gabba.

If only the Marsh boys had got off so easily in Brisbane.

Mitch Marsh reckoned it would be bad luck to discuss how he would bat with older brother Shaun in Brisbane before they became the seventh set of Australian siblings to play a Test together.

Reminded of the shocking run-ins between the last Aussie brothers to rub shoulders in a Test – the Waugh boys – Mitch Marsh said: “I don’t think I can talk about that – it’s a bad omen.”

It turns out the Marsh boys have had plenty of luck in Brisbane – most of it bad.

Mitch Marsh’s dismissal for 11 in Australia’s first innings on Friday seemed to sum up their Test.

Reduced to batting duties in Brisbane due to yet another hamstring injury, the allrounder shouldered arms to speedster Ishant Sharma.

What happened next should not have surprised the luckless Marsh.

Advertisement

The ball hit a crack, stayed low and violently jagged back before crashing into his off stump.

Marsh first looked on in disbelief then offered a wry smile to a fired-up Sharma.

It continued a forgettable few days for the brothers.

Shaun Marsh got the ball rolling on the opening day when he dropped India opener Murali Vijay twice off Mitchell Johnson.

Vijay went on to thrash 144 – equalling the highest Test score by an Indian at the Gabba.

Mitch Marsh finally gave the family something to celebrate when he notched his first Test wicket, claiming Shikhar Dhawan for 24.

It took him 346 balls to nab his first scalp – the only Australians who took longer were Ian Chappell (540 balls) and Kerry O’Keeffe (424).

Advertisement

Soon after normal service resumed when Mitch Marsh broke down while bowling, suffering his fifth hamstring injury in two years.

Shaun Marsh appeared to have reversed their fortunes on 32 in Australia’s first dig when his skied pull shot hung in the air for seconds, only to be dropped by Ajinkya Rahane.

But he was caught behind in the next over without adding to his score.

Mitch Marsh joked that their father – former Test opener and coach Geoff – would not travel to Brisbane because he had to “rest his liver” after toasting his son’s success at the first Test in Adelaide.

But Geoff Marsh may be tempted to drown his sorrows after witnessing his sons’ horror Gabba luck.

close