Pair shared a record 217-run partnership to put South Australia to the sword, with a remarkable century from Alex Carey the only shining light on a dark day for the Redbacks
Western Australia 6 for 352 (Philippe 137, Marsh 111) beat South Australia (Carey 128*, Behrendorff 4-39) by 78 runs (DLS method)
Twin centuries from Josh Philippe and Mitchell Marsh have helped Western Australia wallop South Australia in the rain-affected opening Marsh Cup game of the season at Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide.
The pair shared a 217-run stand, the highest second-wicket partnership for WA in the history of Australia’s 50-over domestic competition, to propel the visitors to a monstrous total of 6 for 352 before the Redbacks succumbed to be all out for 237 despite a remarkable unbeaten century from Alex Carey. Australia’s ODI vice-captain made 128 not out from 106 balls as the rest of his team failed to reach 20. Jason Behrendorff took 4 for 39 in a disciplined team bowling effort from Western Australia.
Philippe made his maiden List A century with a dazzling display of ball-striking which included 10 fours and seven sixes, while Marsh posted his third century for WA in 50-over domestic cricket, continuing the impressive form he showed at No.3 on Australia’s recent limited-overs tours of West Indies and Bangladesh.
The pair came together in the third over after Kane Richardson utilized some early swing and seam to have Shaun Marsh caught at first slip. But any advantage South Australia hoped to glean after winning the toss quickly evaporated as Marsh and Philippe found the boundary with ease.
Marsh was savage on anything short twice pulling Wes Agar over deep square for six while Philippe sparkled against the spin of Sam Kerber and Nathan McSweeney with some wonderful lofted strikes over cover.
Philippe did enjoy some luck, dropped twice on 70 and 73, the second a sitter of a caught and bowled chance to Agar. He made the most of the gifts and brought up his century with three consecutive sixes beating Marsh to the milestone by one delivery.
Marsh was also dropped at mid-off by Travis Head shortly after reaching his century but fell not long after. WA piled on the pain in the last 10 overs scoring 112 runs with Ashton Turner making 46 from 28 while D’Arcy Short, Ashton Agar, and Cameron Green all played handy cameos.
South Australia’s target was reduced to 316 from 43 overs after a rain delay at the beginning of the chase. But the Redbacks faltered against a WA attack that had only one bowler without an international cap.
Carey played a lone hand and looked a cut above his teammates. While wickets fell around him at regular intervals Carey played fearlessly but with clinical precision. He carved WA’s quicks through the off-side repeatedly while rotating the strike with ease. He raced to his century in just 86 balls, his second in List A cricket and his first for South Australia, and celebrated by thrashing the next three balls for four. He struck 15 fours and one six in his stunning innings which only ended because he ran out of partners.
Alex Malcolm is an Associate Editor at ESPNcricinfo