Marsh stands tall with maiden century

Mitchell Marsh has silenced his critics with his maiden international hundred, a pressure-relieving innings in the fifth and final Victoria Bitter ODI Series clash against India at the SCG.

Marsh's position in Australia's XI has been under scrutiny for most of the season with the allrounder unable to pass fifty during the international campaign.

He has kept the wolves at bay with some strong performances with the ball, but his status as a top six batsman has been debated throughout the summer.

But the weight of that pressure was lifted off the 24-year-old's shoulders at a sun-drenched SCG on Saturday afternoon when he reached three figures for the first time in 44 international matches.

Quick Single: Australia v India, fifth ODI

He is just the fifth Australian to score an ODI century from No.6 in the order, joining Michael Bevan, Andrew Symonds, Mike Hussey and brother Shaun Marsh as the only others to achieve the feat.

Marsh had been promoted to No.3 in order in the fourth game of the series at Manuka Oval on Wednesday, contributing 33, and he looked better for that valuable stint in the middle when he strode to the crease today.

Having come out with the home side in a tight spot at 4-117 in the 22nd over, Marsh combined with David Warner for a 118-run stand before he accelerated in the final overs. 

WATCH: Warner powers to ODI ton No.5

He unleashed a series of powerful blows all around the wicket, striking nine fours and two sixes to finish unbeaten on 102 from 84 balls.

His chase for the milestone in the final overs was not without incident and he took 2.3 overs to move from 95 to a century.

He was unable to score from the final two balls of the penultimate over when on 99 and was unable to pierce the field again when he faced up for the second ball of the final over.

But he eventually brought up his hundred with a two through mid-wicket, celebrating by removing his helmet and raising both arms aloft to receive the applause of the more than 30,000 people in attendance.

Marsh's innings helped steer Australia to a total of 7-330 from their 50 overs, an imposing target as they look to secure a 5-0 series whitewash. 

Centuries at No.6 in ODIs (Australia)

Michael Bevan - 102* v New Zealand, Melbourne, 2002

Andrew Symonds - 143* v Pakistan, Johannesburg, 2003

Michael Hussey - 109* v West Indies, Kuala Lumpur, 2006

Shaun Marsh - 110 v England, Hobart, 2011

Mitchell Marsh - 102* v India, Sydney, 2016

WATCH: Australia smash 7-330 at the SCG