I was literally speechless watching Maxwell: Mitchell Marsh

Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh praised his teammate, Glenn Maxwell after the latter smashed 46 off just 26 balls to help Australia beat West Indies in the 8th match of the tri-series and seal their finals berth.

Marsh himself played a brilliant innings of 79 from 85 balls, to chase down a target of 283 against the home side. “I said give yourself a few balls mate and then go for it,” Marsh said after the game. “I was literally speechless at the other end watching an innings like that.”

The younger Marsh brother talked about Maxwell’s importance in the limited overs format, where he has got the ability to turn a match around single-handedly. “Maxi has had a lot of doubt and hasn’t been in the greatest of form. But an innings like that tonight shows why he’s one of the first picked on this side because he’s so dangerous and can win us games like that in a few overs,” said the 24-year old.

“He actually told me we’ll just take them for ones. Next thing he’s playing a reverse-sweep for six. I absolutely loved it. Maxi is a free spirit, you’ve just got to let him go and do what he does. When it comes off like that it’s unbelievable to watch,” he added.

Also read: Tri-series 2016, Match 8 Review: Marsh and Maxwell eclipse Samuels ton

Marsh was satisfied with his own performance after remaining unbeaten and taking his side home in the crucial match. “It’s right up there, I think any time you can bat through an innings and be not out in a win in a crucial chase like that, it’s very satisfying,” Marsh said of his own innings. “I’ve put in a lot of work. I haven’t had much of an opportunity – well, I have, but I haven’t taken them in this series. So it was really nice to step up and get us over the line,” he signed-off.