Hazlewood and Marsh Lead Australia to T20 Victory Over India at MCG
A commanding bowling performance by Josh Hazlewood helped Australia secure a dominant four-wicket win against India in a Twenty20 match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), witnessed by 82,438 spectators.
Match Overview
India was restricted to 125 runs in 18.4 overs. Australia then chased the target efficiently, reaching 6-126 in just 13.2 overs, with 40 balls to spare. This win gave Australia a 1-0 lead in the five-match international T20 series after the opening game in Canberra was washed out.
Key Performances
- Josh Hazlewood: Delivered a lethal bowling spell that silenced the predominantly Indian crowd from the start.
- Mitch Marsh: Scored 46 runs, including one of the biggest sixes ever at the MCG, hitting Harshit Rana into the second level of the Olympic Stand.
- Travis Head: Contributed 28 runs in the successful chase.
Match Highlights
After Hazlewood's brilliant bowling restricted India, Marsh and Head aimed to finish the game swiftly. Marsh smashed four sixes before attempting one big hit too many and was caught at long off with Australia still 39 runs short of victory.
“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.”
Following Marsh's dismissal, Australia lost four wickets for 39 runs, including a near hat-trick chance for Jasprit Bumrah, but the team maintained control and closed out the win comfortably.
Series Status
Australia now leads 1-0 in the series, having started strong right after the washed-out opener.
Author's summary: Australia’s dominant bowling and powerful hitting, highlighted by Hazlewood and Marsh, secured a commanding T20 victory over India at the MCG in front of a large crowd.