Hazlewood and Marsh Dominate T20 as Australia Beat India at MCG
Josh Hazlewood delivered a brilliant bowling performance, leading Australia to a commanding four-wicket Twenty20 victory over India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in front of 82,438 spectators. Australia dismissed India for 125 runs in 18.4 overs and chased the target comfortably, finishing at 6-126 with 40 balls remaining.
Match Overview
This win gives Australia a 1-0 lead in the five-match international series after the previous match in Canberra was abandoned due to rain. The large crowd in Melbourne was predominantly supporting India, but Hazlewood’s early breakthroughs silenced the fans as Australia’s captain Mitch Marsh won the toss and chose to bowl first.
Key Performances
- India was restricted to 125 runs in under 19 overs.
- Mitch Marsh scored 46 runs, while opener Travis Head contributed 28 runs.
Australia confidently chased down the modest target, reaching 6-126 in 13.2 overs. Marsh blasted one of the largest sixes ever seen at the MCG, sending Harshit Rana's delivery into the second level of the Olympic Stand.
“Marsh, who has been in scintillating white-ball form, smashed one of the biggest ever sixes at the MCG when he blasted Harshit Rana into the second level of the Olympic Stand.”
After hitting four sixes, Marsh was eventually caught at long off while Australia was 39 runs away from victory. Following his dismissal, Australia lost four wickets for 39 runs, including Jasprit Bumrah nearly taking a hat-trick, but the chase was never seriously threatened.
Series Standing
Australia's win puts them ahead in the series, putting pressure on India to bounce back in the upcoming matches.
“The victory sees Australia go 1-0 up in the five-match international series.”
Author's summary: Josh Hazlewood's strong bowling and Mitch Marsh's explosive batting powered Australia to an early series lead with a comfortable win over India at the MCG.