Marsh brothers' centuries early on Sunday (January 7) morning helped Australia stretch their lead to 232 by Lunch on Day 4 of the fifth and final Ashes Test, in Sydney. Shaun and Mitchell, who joined hands shortly after Tea on Saturday, added 169 runs for the fifth wicket partnership with both raising their second century of the series en route.
Shaun, unbeaten on 98 overnight, reached triple figures off the fifth ball of the morning, from Moeen Ali. The left-hander shimmied down the track to drive the ball through extra cover and the celebrations began as soon as he saw the ball pierce the gap.
There were a couple of chances created with the third new ball, but no harm done to Australia in the first hour. Shaun Marsh edged one off James Anderson through the slips, but Alastair Cook, at first slip, was tad late to react, while it was bit out of reach for a diving third-slip fielder, Joe Root. Three overs later, Shaun called Mitchell for a cheeky single that could have cost him his wicket had it been a direct hit at the non-striker's end from Jonny Bairstow.
Stuart Broad was on the receiving end when Mitchell continued his carefree boundary-hitting spree from yesterday and dispatched a couple to the fence to bring up the 150 of the partnership with his brother. When Mitchell quickly moved on from 91 to 99 with another pair of consecutive boundary hits, Broad was replaced by Tom Curran. Mitchell welcomed him into the attack with a brace that helped him bring up his hundred - his second of the series as well - but the bowler ultimately had the last laugh. Curran bagged his first wicket of the game, giving England a breakthrough at last to halt the flourishing partnership.
However, Tim Paine filled in the void perfectly, and a well-set Shaun continued to pile on more misery on England. As the tourists toiled hard in the harsh Sydney sun and 41 degrees, to make matters worse, Australia's lead has swollen to 232 with five wickets still intact.
With five sessions to go in the game, all eyes would now be fixed on the home team's dressing room, waiting for that declaration from Steven Smith. Brief scores: Australia 578/5 (Shaun Marsh 145*, Mitchell Marsh 101; Tom Curran 1-82) lead England 346; by 232 runs.
