Marsh Stars As Australia Beat Bangladesh By 8 Wickets In World Cup

Mitchell Marsh (Image Source: Google)

Mitchell Marsh's career-best 177 not out was labelled "scary" by skipper Pat Cummins as Australia headed into next week's World Cup semi-finals with a convincing eight-wicket win over Bangladesh in Pune on Saturday.

Marsh's second hundred of the World Cup ensured Australia, already guaranteed a last-four clash with South Africa, made light of their target of 307 to win with 32 balls remaining.

This was just Marsh's third hundred in 87 one-day internationals and surpassed his 121 against Pakistan earlier in the tournament as the 32-year-old's highest score.

The all-rounder, strong on the drive and square of the wicket, faced 132 balls including 17 fours and nine sixes, having briefly returned to Australia following the death of his grandfather before rejoining the squad.

Cummins praised Marsh's "outstanding" innings, with the fast bowler adding: "He is a scary prospect to have in the next week."

Marsh also shared a stand of 120 with David Warner (53) and put on an unbroken 175 with Steve Smith, the star batsman hitting the winning boundary in a morale-boosting 63 not out after returning from vertigo.

Victory meant Australia ended the group stage with a seventh successive win after their campaign for a record-extending sixth men's World Cup title started with two defeats.

Marsh joked his innings had offset a bowling figures of 0-48 in four overs.

"Not every day that you get player of the match after you concede 50-odd in four overs," he said.

"Started off with -50 when I began batting. But good to get stuck in."

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