WATCH: Mitchell Marsh falls agonizingly short of his Test ton to leave family heartbroken

Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh was dismissed for a well-made ninety-six runs on the third day of the MCG Test. The 32-year-old had walked into bat with the Australian score reading 16/4 after lunch.

It was heartbreaking because Mitchell’s father Geoff and Brother Shaun were in attendance. Geoff Marsh is a former Australian World Cup winner as a player in 1987 and as a coach in 1999. Brother Shaun is still playing in the Big Bash League after calling time on his international career.

Australia holds the upper hand holding an overall lead of 223 runs when Mitchell Marsh was out. Pakistan is 1-0 down in the series after losing the first Test match in Perth by a massive 360-run margin.

Mitchell Marsh and family heartbroken during MCG Test 

The Australian team was dictating proceedings with Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith looking set. The pair had added 153 runs for the fifth wicket to bring the home team back into the contest.

As Mitchell Marsh moved closer to his century the MCG crowd began cheering and clapping for the 32-year-old. Batting on ninety-six, Mitchell Marsh saw Mir Hamza produce an amazing delivery to get the edge of his bat. 

Mitchell Marsh dismissed for 96...!!!!

Missed out a well deserving hundred by just 4 runs. #PAKvsAUS pic.twitter.com/w3KwcqQQut

— Saqib Khan (@saqibkhan_10) December 28, 2023

Mir Hamza strike Mitchell Marsh went for 96 again in the nervous 90s.🔥#PAKvsAUS #MirHamza #AUSvsPAKpic.twitter.com/UmhBaOwcP7

— Ali Umair Shahbaz (@aliumairshahbaz) December 28, 2023

Salman Agha standing in the first slip took a one-handed stunner to silence the MCG crowd. Geoff Marsh along with Shaun Marsh and Mitchell Marsh’s other family members were left stunned. The visual of the 32-year-old walking back to the hut four short of the century left the family members heartbroken. 

Shaheen Afridi and Mir Hamza had combined to wreak havoc during an inspired afternoon spell. Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne fell to Shaheen Afridi on either side of the luncheon break. David Warner and Travis Head fell in successive deliveries to leave the home team in a huge spot of bother at 16/4. 

The 153-run stand between Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh came in over forty-four overs before the stand was broken. Australian batting star Steve Smith conjured up yet another half-century as the Pat Cummins-led side will hope to push to a big score on day four.