Shaun Marsh. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Camera IconShaun Marsh. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) Credit: AAP

Ashes confidential: Mitchell Starc and Shaun Marsh have a rocky day, plus KP hits back at haters

Staff writersNews Corp Australia

IT may not be possible, but Shaun Marsh’s bizarre morning session of fielding on Friday may have made him even more maligned than what he already is.

The controversially recalled batsman was in the thick of things with Mitchell Starc - and must’ve left the world’s most terrifying fast bowler cursing his name with a series of unfortunate events.

Firstly, he was fielding in the deep on the legside when he tracked a ball around the boundary for what should have been a regulation pick up and then throw into Tim Paine.

However Marsh is not regulation and he never will be.

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Limited communication meant that Mitchell Starc also attacked the Kookaburra from the other direction and dived behind Marsh, who picked up the ball with his left hand.

Upon doing so, the oldest Australian in the team had his spikes caught on Starc’s knee which ripped a hole in the fast bowler’s pants.

The incident didn’t hurt Starc, it was just a little bit clumsy really.

The second scenario saw Stuart Broad hook a delivery high to the legside boundary where Marsh was still fielding. The 34-year-old never looked comfortable underneath it and shelled it to the ground as a result.

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As you can see in the picture below, the fans behind Marsh were less than impressed.

Fans react to Shaun Marsh's dropped catch.
Camera IconFans react to Shaun Marsh's dropped catch. Credit: FOX SPORTS
Marsh's old man, former Test opener Geoff (R), reacts to his son's dropped catch.
Camera IconMarsh's old man, former Test opener Geoff (R), reacts to his son's dropped catch. Credit: Supplied

It must be said that Marsh also took a catch, but his morning was a curious mix between good, bad and just plain weird.

But then again, that’s a bit like Marsh’s career, isn’t it?

KP’S SHOE-GATE

KEVIN Pietersn has heard your complaints.

Kevin Pietersen doesn’t care.

The England great was lampooned on social media on Thursday over his garish footwear which stole the spotlight on day one of the Ashes.

Some described the suede offerings as the worst thing seen in the Ashes since England quick Steve Harmison’s wayward wide to second slip to open the 2006/7 series.

But does KP care?

Not on Friday’s evidence.

In fact, he’s hit back at the haters — donning the offending shoes once more, and adding some bright socks to bait “the fashion gurus”.

“For all you fashion gurus out there hammering my shoes ... the more you pipe up, the more I’ll wear ‘em,” he wrote on Twitter before play on day two.

“Even some blue socks for you today!”

What better place to propose than a pool filled with cricket fans?
Camera IconWhat better place to propose than a pool filled with cricket fans? Credit: Supplied

SHE SAID YES! IN THE NATION’S MOST DISGUSTING POOL....

THIS is what true love looks like.

It must be - how else can you describe getting down on one knee in a pool of tepid water that’s housed Ashes fans for the best part of two days in the hot Brisbane sun.

But that’s exactly what happened, when this young couple stole the show midway through day two.

....AND THE RICHIES THINK IT’S MARVELLOUS

THEY’RE growing in numbers year on year, keeping the great Richie Benaud at the forefront of our minds ever summer.

But wearing those suits on a hot Brisbane day is no easy feat, as this group of Richies found on Friday morning.

But they worked out a smart way to keep cool at least — even if it isn’t quite the same as Richie’s beloved Coogee beach

The great man would be proud, we’d say.

A group of Richies find a way to cool down on a hot Brisbane day.
Camera IconA group of Richies find a way to cool down on a hot Brisbane day. Credit: Supplied