How Mitch Marsh became the most hated player in the Australian cricket team is beyond me, it didn’t help that his brother Shaun was universally hated. Fellow West Australian and allrounder Cameron Green was out injured allowing Mitch to slot into the team and take his opportunity after four years on the sidelines. When Mitch Marsh returned to the Australian team in big trouble, he came in to bat just before lunch, not a great prospect for a number 6 batsman.

The other huge comeback story was Mark Wood who was sending thunderbolts down the pitch at an impressive pace. I was looking forward to Wood’s selection, I prefer a contest between bat and ball and the previous two tests were played on lifeless wickets designed to benefit the Bazball style of cricket. Basically, they prepare a road that is easy to bat on – that is not a great contest and I was not thrilled. Mark Wood had a brilliant comeback, his 5-34 was impressive.

When Mitch came to the crease, Australia was in real trouble at 4-85 with Mark Wood bowling menacingly. This was a great contest and I was really enjoying this match. Even watching from the comfort of my living room, I could see Wood’s extreme pace and his ability to move the ball around. Sure, Wood was finally selected for the lively Leeds pitch as England were not going to reveal him for the first two slow pitches. England won the toss and put Australia into bat on a green tinged pitch, finally a lively deck.

Forget Bazball, what we witnessed was Bisonball, Mitch scored his century from 102 balls using his strength to club the ball around the ground. Mitch played correct cricket shots, he was not playing brash Bazball shots, this was correct batting technique coupled with power. As Mitch moved into the 90s I was getting tired, it was late in Perth and I needed to be up at 6am to head to work, I was jumping up and down when Mitch scored his comeback century. Marsh was eventually out for 118 off 118 balls faced, the Headingly test was won by England and I was not concerned, we witnessed a great test match and England were back in the series.