Mitchell Marsh smashes maiden ODI ton, joins record holders

Sydney: With Australia already clinching the five-match ODI series 4-0, little was at stake for MS Dhoni-led Team India in the fifth and final match here at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday.

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Dhoni and Co have to win the final encounter if they want to retain their No 2 position in the ICC ODI rankings but Australia’s David Warner (122) and Mitchell Marsh (102*)’s tons made the job for the Indians all the more robust.

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Meanwhile, Marsh silenced his critics with his maiden international ton in the fifth. With this knock, the 24-year-old has become just the fifth Australian to score an ODI century from No 6 in the order, joining legends Michael Bevan, Andrew Symonds, Mike Hussey and brother Shaun Marsh as the others to have achieved the feat.

Junior Marsh’s position in the side has been questioned with the all-rounder unable to break the fifty-run jinx in his international campaign. On Saturday, Marsh let the willow do most of the talking when he reached three figures for the first time in 44 international matches.

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Coming out in the middle with his side in trouble at 117-4 in the 22nd over, Marsh put on a 118-run stand along with Warner before he accelerated in the final overs.

His knock included nine fours and two sixes to finish unbeaten on 102 from 84 balls. Marsh's innings helped steer Australia to a total of 330-7 after 50 overs as Steve Smith and the hosts eye a 5-0 series whitewash.

Centuries at No 6 in ODIs (Australia)

Michael Bevan - 102* v New Zealand, Melbourne, 2002

Andrew Symonds - 143* v Pakistan, Johannesburg, 2003

Michael Hussey - 109* v West Indies, Kuala Lumpur, 2006

Shaun Marsh - 110 v England, Hobart, 2011

Mitchell Marsh - 102* v India, Sydney, 2016