Alongside Travis Head, Marsh formed a crucial partnership of 155 runs, while the rest of the team contributed only 108 runs. Marsh’s exceptional innings came to an end just before tea, with Australia’s score at 240-5. Unfortunately, the team collapsed thereafter and was all out for 263. England’s Mark Wood, playing his first test since December, impressed with figures of 5-34.
In addition to his batting heroics, Marsh had a memorable moment with the ball, taking England’s third wicket when he dismissed Zac Crawley. At the close of play, England was struggling at 68-3, trailing by 195 runs in the crucial match. Joe Root was unbeaten on 19, while Jonny Bairstow was at 1.
Marsh’s selection in the team came as Cameron Green suffered a minor hamstring strain after the previous victory at Lord’s. Marsh, who had been dropped from the test side in 2019, had excelled in Twenty20s and one-dayers in the meantime. Although he had only played four first-class matches in four years, he had recently scored an unbeaten 108 in his last match in March.
When Marsh came to the crease, England had the upper hand, having sent Australia in to bat on a challenging pitch with a fast outfield. The Headingley crowd was buzzing as David Warner fell to Stuart Broad for the 16th time in his career, Usman Khawaja was bowled by a rapid delivery from Mark Wood, Marnus Labuschagne edged one to the slips off Chris Woakes, and Steve Smith was caught behind off Broad in his 100th test.
Marsh and Head managed to reach lunch with the score at 91-4, with Marsh on 5 and Head on 10. Head had a stroke of luck when Bairstow dropped him on 9, showcasing a poor display of wicketkeeping. Root also dropped Marsh on 12, but Marsh made the most of his fortune and launched a brilliant counterattack.
Marsh’s aggressive batting included 17 boundaries and four sixes, resulting in 92 runs out of his total of 118. He played exquisite shots through the covers, straight down the ground, behind point, and even dispatched a bouncer from Wood for a six over deep square. His fifty came off just 59 balls, and the partnership with Head reached 100 off 118 balls, silencing the home crowd.
Unfortunately, Robinson had to leave the field due to injury during his 12th over, and Wood bowled only three overs in the middle session. Marsh reached his century by hitting a six off Moeen Ali and celebrated his achievement with great joy. However, in the last over before tea, Woakes claimed Marsh’s wicket at 240-5. An inside edge off Marsh’s thigh pad was caught by Zac Crawley at second slip.
Woakes continued his success after tea by dismissing Head for 39. Root, who had earlier dropped Carey on two occasions, showed his frustration by throwing the ball in disgust when he caught Head. Throughout the day, Root and Bairstow missed a total of five chances in the field.
Wood dominated Australia’s tail, taking the last four wickets in just 16 balls and finishing with figures of 4-5. He proudly held the ball aloft, achieving his first five-wicket haul in a home test. In this match, Wood consistently bowled between 88 and 96 mph, with an average speed of 90.4 mph, the quickest in an English innings since Brett Lee in 2005. Woakes also performed well, taking 3-73 in his first test in 16 months.
In England’s reply, Australia captain Pat Cummins displayed his skill by taking early wickets, dismissing Ben Duckett for 2 and Harry Brook for 3 with thick edges.