Australian all-rounder Mitch Marsh could hardly have done more to enhance his status as a hometown hero with a player-of-the- match performance in the opening Test win over Pakistan.
But then he went an handed his medal to a young fan, draping it over his floppy hat and around his neck in the wake of the day four romp.
Marsh, who fell agonisingly short of a century in the first innings, making 90 before backing it up with an beaten innings of 63 in the second dig pipped centurion David Warner for the honours.
But after accepting the medal, and as he headed off the field, Marsh headed straight to the young fan leaning over the players race and gave away his prize, leaving the youngster gobsmacked.
Marsh has become a crucial part of all three Australian teams across the Test, ODI and T20 formats, having usurped fellow West Australian Cameron Green to keep wearing his baggy green cap in Perth.
Test captain Pat Cummins was full of praise for Marsh’s growing maturity and comfort at the top level and his important to the team as someone they can also throw the ball knowing he can deliver.
“I think he just has a really clear process at the moment in whatever format it is. He knows how to score runs, and he doesn’t care what it really looks like,” Aussie skipper Pat Cummins said.
“I think in the past you can get caught up in there’s a template of how you’re meant to play Test cricket, and you’ve got to have a great forward defence.
“I think the way Travis Head’s gone about it, how David Warner’s played his whole career, and now Mitch Marsh shows you’ve got to score runs, and it doesn’t really matter how you score them.
“I think he’s found a really good game plan wherever he is in the world and the great wicket of Babar (Azam) as well, so he chips in as an all-round player.”
The Australian players will now get a rest before travelling to Melbourne on Friday for the second Test at the MCG beginning on Boxing Day.
