Marshes make SCG their backyard of dreams

Shaun and Mitchll Marsh have each scored their second centuries of the Ashes series, doing so in comical style.

Australia's Shaun Marsh celebrates his century

Australia's Shaun Marsh has scored six Test match centuries. (AAP)

Shaun and Mitch Marsh made the SCG their own family backyard as they lived out the ultimate boyhood dream, scoring Ashes centuries together against England.

And for a moment of crazed jubilation, it appeared the pair were still playing by backyard cricket rules.

After Mitch punched Tom Curran through the covers to bring up his hundred, the pair collided mid-pitch as they celebrated the milestone while the ball was still being returned.

"I went for the high-five and Shaun went for the hug and we somewhere parked in the middle," Mitch said.

"Then we had a split second of panic."

It was only then the pair split to rush to complete the second, avoiding what would've been one of the most calamitous run outs in history.

"That was my fault," Shaun added.

"Emotions got the better of me and I just wanted to give him a hug.

"I saw him starting to celebrate and I lost all concept of where the ball was and what was happening."

Mitch was bowled the next ball for 101 to one that stayed low from Curran, but his second ton in three Tests was well worth the dramatic celebration as Australia finished the day six wickets from a 4-0 series scoreline.

Along with their first century stand, the brothers became just the third siblings to score hundreds in the same Ashes Test along with Ian and Greg Chappell and Mark and Steve Waugh.

None of those though had been achieved while both were at the crease at the same time.

Best friends since their teens, the pair endured a sleepless night after Shaun went to stumps at 98 not out on day three.

They went for an early beach swim to shake off the nerves, but they need not have worried as Shaun drove the fifth ball of the day from Moeen Ali to bring up his second century of the series.

Shaun's innings ended when he was run out for 156, and capped of a remarkable summer for Australia's most consistent batsman aside of the series outside Steve Smith.

Left off Cricket Australia's contract list last year, he wasn't picked for the Bangladesh tour and his Test career looked over before being granted a ninth life in the Ashes.

However, he has rewarded selectors with a stunning series that has included fighting 50s in Brisbane and Melbourne to go along with his centuries at the WACA and SCG.

"I didn't know what the future held at this level," Shaun said.

"I just went away and wanted to enjoy myself and obviously when I did get picked again it was quite emotional."


Share

3 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world