Usman Khawaja and Shaun Marsh have both pressed their claims for selection in Australia’s top-six ahead of next month’s first Ashes Test with the pair once again scoring heavily in the one-day cup.
Marsh’s 119 earned him the player of the match award but his century was unable to help Western Australia end their limited overs campaign with a flourish as competition leaders Queensland eased to a 34-run win on the Duckworth-Lewis method.
The winning margin was likely to be far greater but for late rain as Queensland reached 3-145 off 29.5 overs, in pursuit of Western Australia’s 9-212 off 46 overs.
Khawaja struck a comfortable 88 off 95 balls for a fourth half-century in six innings, to take his season tally to 322 runs at an average of 64.
Earlier, Marsh had little support and was forced to watch from the other end as West Australian wickets fell at regular intervals, before being the last man to fall.
Only allrounder Hilton Cartwright (35) offered Marsh support and the pair put on 74 for the sixth wicket.
Marsh’s knock on the compact North Sydney Oval included 12 fours and five sixes, and he has now accrued 304 runs at 76.
Former Test opener Simon Katich was out for six in the final outing of a four-match stint for the Warriors.
All five members of the Queensland bowling attack took wickets with Matthew Gale collecting the best figures (2-36).
The win saw Queensland shore up top spot and secure their place in Sunday’s final at North Sydney Oval against either NSW or Victoria, with the pair to meet in a preliminary final on Thursday.
Marsh said he was hoping to carry his form into the start of the Sheffield Shield season next week as he eyes a return to Test reckoning.
“They (Queensland) had a really good attack, I knew it was going to be a good test for me,” Marsh said.
“I’ve given myself every chance to play well next week, I’m feeling really good out there, really confident within my game.
“I’m looking forward to four-day cricket now, it’s a challenge for me … I’ve been pretty disappointing over the last year or so with it.”
Praveen
Guest
Khawaja is impressing, his 88 not out came in cloudy conditions and with rain breaks, he is letting his bat do the taking as is Shaun
Manoj
Guest
I went to the Ryobi game between the Bulls and WA yesterday and was impressed by both Marsh and Khawaja. Marsh got a 100 while Khawaja got 88 not out when rain intervened. Overall Khawaja would be my pick because he has been very consistent in the Ryobi cup scoring 350 runs at nearly 70 and a key player in the Bulls being top position, ultimately though i think it will be on shield runs and Khawaja may carry this form inot the shield games. Our pitches will be very pacy to negate Swann's impact and Khawaja is among our best players of pace and swing bowling. As for the opening slot i am leaning towards Warner.
Red Kev
Guest
I like the way all the fringe batsmen are conducting themselves at the moment. Now if only Warner would grow up.