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Mitch Marsh yesterday might have provided answers to Australia’s problems at numbers three and six in their Test batting line-up.
The 23-year-old’s more experienced teammates should have been taking note of the manner in which he compiled an assertive yet composed innings of 87 amid another woeful batting effort.
Australia face the prospect of having to bat for up to five sessions to avoid defeat after again being dominated by Pakistan on Day 3 of the second Test at Abu Dhabi.
On the flattest of decks, Australia were once more exposed by Pakistan’s extremely inexperienced yet feisty attack.
The Australians had begun the day with hope of at least drawing the match. Indeed, if ever there was a pitch designed to produce a draw it was this Abu Dhabi surface. When premier batsman David Warner toe-ended to gully a rank, wide long hop in the opening overs of the day those hopes dimmed.
Glenn Maxwell, demoted to number three after opening in his previous Test innings, didn’t necessarily instil confidence Australia would avoid defeat.
But he was wonderfully entertaining during his sparkling yet all-too-brief innings of 37 from 28 balls. Maxwell looked in commanding touch against Pakistan’s quicks and was even more impressive against their rampant spinners.
The nimble Victorian continually got to the pitch of their deliveries and struck them through or over the infield. Having stolen Pakistan’s momentum and forced them to scatter the field somewhat he undid this progress with a poor selection of stroke.
After successfully hitting left arm tweaker Zulfiqar Babar with the spin through the offside, he made the mistake of trying to whip him across the line and was bowled. Skipper Michael Clarke then played with an encouraging level of fluency after appearing flummoxed by Pakistan’s slow bowlers at Dubai.
Clarke struck a free-flowing 47 and put together a partnership of 64 with Marsh. The young West Australian was abandoned in quick succession by veterans Clarke, Brad Haddin (10) and Mitchell Johnson (0).
Aided by paceman Peter Siddle, Marsh came within sight of his maiden ton before misjudging an Imran Khan full toss which he scooped to mid on.
In his second Test, the all-rounder played an innings of heartening maturity and skill. Against Pakistan’s paceman he unfurled a series of exquisite off drives, played with a high elbow and impeccable timing.
Opposed to their spinners he showed enough positive intent to disallow them from getting into a rhythm without ever straying into the zone of over-aggression that led to Maxwell’s downfall.
Such a knock, produced amid a crumbling batting line-up, should have earned him a spot in Australia’s XI for their next Test against India in Brisbane in just over one month. Australia have been searching for a number six and Marsh now deserves a chance to prove he can be that man.
By confirming himself yesterday as a number six of great promise he may also have helped Australia to solve their even larger problem at first drop.
Maxwell yesterday became the ninth Australian batsman to be trialled at number three in the past two years. Maxwell, Shane Watson, Clarke, David Warner, Alex Doolan, Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Ed Cowan and Rob Quiney have all had a crack in that position.
Regardless of what many Aussie fans think of Watson – has there been a more maligned player of the modern era? – the reality remains he has been comfortably Australia’s most successful number three since Ricky Ponting vacated that position.
During that period, Watson has made two tons at first drop, while the other eight have made… none.
Watson has played his best cricket while stationed in the top order. In 10 Tests batting at first drop he has made 749 runs at 42, including two of his four career centuries. The burly all-rounder is also coming off the most productive stint of his Test career having stroked 612 runs at 47 from his last seven matches, including two tons.
Australia’s Test selections this summer will be made with one eye on the upcoming Ashes tour of England. This should work in Watson’s favour as he has vast experience playing against the Old Enemy and also a good Ashes record.
More than a third of his career matches have been played against England and in those 18 Tests he has compiled 1438 runs at 44.
After making his return from injury in the recent domestic one-day competition, Watson has sat out of the first round of Sheffield Shield fixtures.
He has four weeks to prove his fitness for the first Test against India. If he does then both he and Marsh should line up for Australia.