Mitch Marsh’s unbelievable begin to his Twenty20 captaincy profession hasn’t stunned Australian quick bowler Sean Abbott.
Marsh crunched an unbeaten 76 off 39 balls, which included six sixes, to steer Australia to an emphatic eight-wicket demolition of South Africa with 31 balls to spare at Durban on Friday night time (Saturday morning AEST).
Forty-eight hours earlier Marsh thumped 92no within the Aussies’ emphatic 111-run win within the opening rubber of the three-match sequence at Kingsmead, which Australia lead 2-0.
The Proteas have been powerless to quell Marsh, who has racked up 168 runs off 86 balls for the sequence with out being dismissed.
“I think the way he’s playing on the park is just the way he’s been playing for such a long time now,” stated Abbott, named participant of the match after capturing a T20I career-best 3-22 with the ball.
“To Mitch’s credit he’s quite a level personality, certainly amongst the group.
“He hasn’t modified in any respect since entering into the captaincy, albeit solely two video games and having solely been on tour for per week.
“Not surprised at all that he’s doing really well and flourishing in his first two games as captain.
“It’s actually good to see as a result of he is such an excellent individual, such an excellent group man and actually cares about folks round him.”
Marsh received wonderful support from clean-striking opener Matt Short, who scored 60 at better than two-a-ball in his second international.
The pair’s 100-run second-wicket stand was Australia’s best in T20Is against South Africa and came in spite of less friendly batting conditions than the first match.
“The pitch tonight suited the bowlers,” Abbott stated.
“It won’t have seemed like that after we have been batting however that simply speaks volumes for the way in which these guys are batting in the intervening time.”
After Tavemba Bavuma blasted 35 of South Africa’s first 36 runs in the first three overs, Abbott’s introduction into the attack swung the match Australia’s way.
He dismissed the rampant Bavuma in his first over and Proteas captain Aiden Markram (49) in his last over.
Abbott has adapted quickly to South African conditions following his recent county stint playing both red and white-ball cricket with Surrey in England.
“It can take a little bit of adjusting however my job is to bowl,” he stated.
“When I’m standing on the prime of my mark, I’ve simply received to exit and do it.
“I’m quite used to that – it’s part of being a cricketer, (playing) 12 months of the year.
“It’s one thing I’m actually having fun with.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
