Mitch Marsh was at it again at Headingley while Meg Lanning’s Manchester Super Giants maintained their winning start
Mitch Marsh has fond memories of Yorkshire ground Headingley having played one of his finest and most meaningful innings there.
Three years ago, after four years away from the Test arena, he made a blistering counter-attacking 118 off as many balls on day one of the third Ashes Test.
So it is no surprise that he has quickly made himself at home playing for Leeds Sunrisers, the English version of the Hyderabad franchise he once represented in the Indian Premier League.
Marsh followed a debut 41 last week with 69 from 34 balls on Sunday in his first home appearance.
He backed that up on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST) with a 20-ball half-century, going on to make 63 off 26 balls as the Sunrisers thrashed Manchester Super Giants by eight wickets with 12 balls to spare.
“Headingley is one of the best grounds in the world in my eyes, once you’re in it’s a good place to score,” the West Australian said.
Of his own form, and taking on the quicks, he added: “It’s been a good start. We’ve played on some very good wickets. I just try and play good cricket shots.”
Marsh’s five sixes means he now has a competition-leading 14 and having downed the previously 100 per cent Super Giants his team look contenders.
In a run-fest, the Super Giants looked to have done enough with 3-181 in their 100 balls.
Jos Buttler made 63 not out off 33 balls and Heinrich Klaasen 53 off 27, adding 105 in 47 balls. Amid the onslaught, Nathan Ellis picked up a creditable 2-32 off 20 balls.
But Sunrisers made short work of the target. Ryan Rickelton (11) went early but Zak Crawley (56no off 34) backed up Marsh and Harry Brook (42no off 17) picked up where the Aussie had left off.
Local hero Brook finished it with a six, the 15th of the innings, as the Sunrisers closed on 2-186 off 88 balls.
Crawley was just as full of praise for Marsh.
“I was trying to get him on strike. I couldn’t believe how hard he hit it. I’ve never seen power like it.
“I said to the ump(ire), I”m not sure I want to back up much here’, and he said he was taking a step back.
“I felt they had an above-par score, but when you have Mitch Marsh and Harry Brook in your team …”
In the women’s clash between the sides, Leeds Sunrisers were putting the squeeze on Manchester Super Giants as the visitors pursued 143 to win in Yorkshire.
Two wickets in three balls had left MSG 4-68 at the innings mid-point. India batter Smriti Mandhana, 30 off 21 balls, was the key wicket, so when she pulled the next ball to Litchfield at mid-wicket bowler Jess Jonassen was delighted.
Then she was shocked and horrified as Phoebe Litchfield, who had to advance a little, spilled the catch.
Though Jonassen (1-34 off 20) dismissed Mady Villiers two balls later, Mandhana hit 58 off her next 28 balls to lead Manchester to victory with four balls to spare. She smashed her last two for six as they scored 6-147 in reply to Leeds’ 4-142.