Mitch Marsh may well be asking Santa for an elixir that will help restore his batting.
The all-rounder will go into his 12th Test on Saturday badly in need of runs.
An innings of 87 in his second Test appearance – against Pakistan at Abu Dhabi in October 2014 – remains his only half-century.
In 19 innings at Test level he has made just 380 runs at 23.8.
Worse still, his last 13 innings have produced a meagre average of 13.5.
There has been talk that ‘keeper Peter Nevill – who is averaging only 27.3 – should move to number six.
Much of the momentum for that push is predicated on Nevill’s first-class record where he boasts six centuries, a best of 235no, and an average of 41.0.
Marsh, by comparison, has a first-class batting average of 31.0.
Brad Haddin, Nevill’s predecessor behind the stumps, is adamant that his protégé’s place is number seven.
Regardless, Marsh has to start contributing more with the bat.
At 24, he has long been a project player for the national selectors.
At a strapping 1.93m, he is renowned for his power hitting which was certainly on display in the lead-in to this year’s Ashes series.
In the run-in to the first Test at Cardiff he plundered two county attacks, scoring 101 (94) against Kent and 169 (188) against Essex.
While that bowling was nowhere near international standard, Marsh has never approached his batting at Test level with the same aggressive intent – to date he has a Test strike rate of just 55.
Perhaps as a result of his inability to nail down the all-rounder’s spot, his Test batting has often been tentative and lacking in fluency.
He is currently very much a bowling all-rounder.
While not prolific with the ball he has been able to claim key wickets at important times.
When he first burst onto the scene for Western Australia he regularly bowled in excess of 140km/h and was known for bowling a ‘heavy ball’.
He still hits the pitch hard but his pace is not what it was after a raft of injuries in his formative years at first-class level.
His 11 Tests to date have produced 17 wickets at 34.4.
He is yet to claim a five-wicket haul with his best 3-30.
Marsh had a slow start with the ball, not taking a wicket until his fourth Test, having gone without through his first 55 overs.
In the current Australian line-up he is clearly the fourth pace bowler.
Off-spinner Nathan Lyon’s continuing improvement has allowed his skippers to use the quicks in reasonably short, sharp bursts, downwind which has limited the necessity for Marsh to contribute significant overs.
In his last sixteen innings in the field he has bowled in excess of ten overs on just three occasions.
The lack of overs increases the need for Marsh to produce more with the bat.
Australia’s selectors have been hell-bent on having an all-rounder in the side ever since Andy Flintoff produced a devastating performance in England’s drought-breaking Ashes win in 2005.
In Marsh’s favour is the fact that there are not a lot of players currently forcing the selectors’ hands.
Moises Henriques has tasted Test cricket, playing three matches during Australia’s ignominious four-nil loss in India in 2013.
He fared reasonably well with the bat with two half-centuries but claimed just two wickets at 77.5.
His form in the Sheffield Shield this season has been unimpressive – in three games he has scored 47 runs at 15.7 and taken 2-114.
James Faulkner had a fine Test debut at The Oval in 2013, claiming match figures of 6-98 and scoring 22 and 23.
He has not worn the baggy green since.
In Shield ranks this season he has scored 191 runs at 23.9 from four matches while taking 10 wickets at 32.
At first-class level he has been exceptionally effective with the ball with 180 wickets at 24.3.
With the willow he averages 31.3 but has scored just the one century from the 15 times he has passed 50 in his 56 first-class matches.
John Hastings has had a good Shield season thus far, albeit having played just the two games in which he averages 34.5 with the bat as well as claiming ten wickets at 14.7.
Glenn Maxwell is averaging 50 with the bat in Shield ranks this season but has claimed just three wickets at 45.3.
Ashton Agar, while not a number six, has had a stellar season with the bat, having scored two centuries while averaging 44.2.
His bowling however has been far less impressive with just seven wickets at 63.6 from five matches.
While there is not a standout replacement for the all-rounder position it is still incumbent on Mitch Marsh to start scoring runs or the selectors will be forced to look elsewhere.
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
Bingo- nailed it!
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
One of the first comments I've read that actually makes sense on this post... I don't get how people are not rating the value of Mitch Marsh's bowling. He is helping us win Test matches with the ball! Personally, I think he is bowling well enough to be automatically selected as the 4/5th bowler, irrespective of his batting results. That being said, I would love to see him score some runs soon as well!
Chris Love
Guest
I agree that Mitch needs to start scoring runs but I'm happy for him to see out the next two tests. If he gets runs in the next two and finds some form he stays for NZ. But why can't we run with a dual option. If they inspect the pitch and it looks like it has plenty to offer the bowlers you play Shaun Marsh/Glen Maxwell. If it looks like another road then you play Mitch Marsh/James Faulkner????? If it looks like it will turn early like in the Subcontinent you play Maxwell IMO agar and o'keep need their shots on tour also.
ak
Roar Guru
Tomorrow is Rohan Kanhai’s 80th birthday. Expecting an article on the great West Indian.
BurgyGreen
Guest
I think Glenn Maxwell is the answer to a different question. I don't think he has great value as an allrounder - I can't see his bowling being effective at Test level, especially as we already have a frontline offspinner. However, he's a gun batsman and I'd love to see him at 5 (or 6 if we give up on a true allrounder) in the future.
BurgyGreen
Guest
Gilly batted at 7 because the top 6 in his time was ridiculously strong, while McGrath and Warne ensured no allrounder was required. He was easily good enough to bat higher if required. He'd walk into the top 5 of any Test team today. However, as our current team isn't stacked with GOATs, a genuine number 6 keeper-batsman would be an awesome option and greatly improve our flexibility. Mitch Marsh or whoever we pick as an allrounder wouldn't be under so much pressure to score runs every game.
jamesb
Guest
Marsh needs to go out and be an aggressive batsman. If M.Marsh plays tentatively, then he will find himself in a spot of bother. With a steady player like Nevill at seven, M.Marsh can afford to be aggressive, even if Australia is in trouble. Have a look at past allrounders, Botham, Dev, Hadlee etc, they were all aggressive players with the willow. I'm not suggesting Marsh is in that company, but rather illustrate a point, that he has more then one string to his bow. Merry Xmas Glenn, and to everyone here on the Roar.
VivGilchrist
Guest
A rock and a hard place? Its called batting.
TJ
Guest
Must be another TJ ! I do love football though!
Tinfoil Hat
Guest
So if other countries have pitches that don't match those in Australia which favour the Australian team you claim "doctoring" with an inference that it is a form of cheating. Arrogance and and hubris in action. Other countries are not doing anything underhand or devious if they provide conditions that challegne Australia's 'strong top order'. Using your logic, those dastardly aussies also doctor their pitches to provide favourable condtions to their flat-track bully batting order.
Craig Swanson
Guest
I think Mitch's value as fourth bowler can not be underestimated. He may come on to give the leading boys a break but he does take vital wickets and at vital moments of the match. I like his bowling. He is tall, accurate can swing it and hits the deck hard if need be. Put him down to seven and play him as a power hitting bowling all rounder.
Craig Swanson
Guest
I have no problem with a wicket keeper batting at #6 if he has a FC class average of 41 as Nevill has. Since moving to NSW he has mostly batted at seven but has moved to the top order for the past two seasons. So he knows the position and the responsibility required. I think blokes like Gilly and Haddin were a bit of a liaility at # 6 because of their aggressive game. Nevill is more composed at the crease and values his wicket.
Craig Swanson
Guest
Happy Christmas to all Roarers. I am of the same opinion about Mitch. Have pushed his barrow for a while now, but he has to start scoring runs soon. To be fair Mitch is caught between a rock and a hard place somewhat. He is either being exposed early after top order wickets have fallen cheaply and finding himself having to consolidate or he comes in with a big score on the board and he is required to score quick runs before a declaration. I do not think he knows his game or his correct role at this stage. The selectors face a difficult decision. Whether to persevere with him or send him back to domestic cricket to work on his batting. I have advocated he be moved down to seven and play as a bowling all rounder and where he should find his feet without the added pressure of having to nail down a top six spot. An exciting talent he may be, but the simple truth is he is in the side to score runs as well as take wickets. At present he is only fulfilling half his contract.
scottyridge
Guest
Are you on drugs?
Craig Swanson
Guest
I agree. I saw both Agar innings. Pure quality. This bloke reminds me of Gilly with his power and sweet timing. Could Gilly have batted six? Agar though is still a work in progress with his bowling. Has a classic action (Dan Vettori like?) and is improving his strike rate and economy. Though he can go for big runs on occasions.
pat malone
Guest
i thought you only liked footy ball?
TJ
Guest
Hi Ian, you response to this discussion in my opinion is absolutely perfect! Maxwell is a better batsman than either Marsh in my opinion (scoring a big Century at his 6th crack still doesn't do it for me, sorry Don) and is more than useful with the ball. I also believe that having Faulkner in at 8 is a great option using his left armers and mixed pace and lengths would only benefit Australia regardless of the conditions, and he is no worse than Siddle as a bowler and far better at batting, and his batting at least has been proven at ODI level. Mitch would do well to spend two more years in shield and then come in to the side. This selection would make Batting, bowling and the fielding of the team stronger. Makes sense to me! I also think Agar can be like Steve Smith was, selected as a bowler who can bat but eventually focused on his batting. I really hope he does well, good all round cricketer
Don Freo
Guest
Nevill ( no E on the end) has done that once. Mitch has done that a couple of times. Nevill has also failed a couple of times. You're not counting them? Probably because he's not a Marsh.
Baggy_Green
Roar Pro
Dont try to mix the 2 don - MMarsh and Neville..When Nev got a bat he made it count with a match winning knock in the pink test..
VivGilchrist
Guest
Nice reply Don. You got me. Mrs Crabopple.... phew, what a crack up.