David Warner and Mitchell Marsh made cricket history in the ODI World Cup with their stunning performance during a match against Pakistan at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. They achieved the highest opening partnership ever recorded for Australia in this prestigious tournament, a remarkable 259 runs.
This achievement surpassed the previous record set by Brad Haddin and Shane Watson, who had managed 183 runs against Canada on March 16, 2011, at the same venue. Notably, this partnership was not only a national milestone but also the second-highest opening partnership ever in the history of the ODI World Cup.
The only pair that outperformed them was Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga, who scored 282 against Zimbabwe on March 10, 2011, at Pallekele. Throughout the match, Pakistan struggled to break the partnership between Warner and Marsh. The closest they came to disrupting their rhythm was when Usama Mir dropped Warner on 10 runs in the fifth over. This missed opportunity proved costly for Pakistan as both Warner and Marsh went on to score centuries off consecutive deliveries.
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium’s pitch, coupled with shorter boundaries, created ideal conditions for the batsmen. Warner and Marsh capitalized on these favourable conditions, despite a relatively slow start. The runs began to flow freely, and the ninth over, featuring Haris Rauf’s introduction, marked a turning point in the match.
An explosive partnership of 259 runs between David Warner and Mitchell Marsh was Australia's highest-ever @cricketworldcup stand for the first wicket 💪#CWC23 | #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/55eNhvnec4
— ICC (@ICC) October 20, 2023
Although Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, preferred a traditional field setup with players at mid-wicket and cover, Rauf insisted on keeping a slip fielder. However, this strategy didn’t deter Warner, as he confidently struck a four and a six off Rauf’s bowling
Warner’s first hit sliced through point, followed by an audacious scoop that sent the ball soaring high into the Bengaluru skies. Marsh also joined the scoring spree, registering a hat-trick of fours in that same over. The partnership eventually came to an end when Usama Mir managed to hold on to a sharp chance at short fine leg, dismissing Marsh after his impressive innings of 121 runs off 108 balls.
This historic achievement by David Warner and Mitchell Marsh will be remembered as a remarkable moment in Australian cricket, setting new records and showcasing their exceptional skills in the ODI World Cup. It also serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of partnerships in the sport.
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