If Mitch Marsh fails again with the bat in the SCG Test, Marcus Stoinis should replace him at six for the upcoming series in New Zealand.
While limited overs star Glenn Maxwell also has strong claims to a Test spot, on expected bowler-friendly decks in New Zealand Stoinis’ top order experience and tight technique would make him a better fit.
If Marsh manages to hold his spot for the Tests against the Kiwis, Maxwell may well become his main competitor given Australia’s following tour involves three Tests on spinning decks in Sri Lanka in July.
Marsh’s incisive medium pace has greatly enhanced Australia’s attack this year. Not only has he snared 21 wickets at the terrific average of 23 in his past nine Tests, but the West Australian regularly has made key breakthroughs, with few tail-enders among his wicket haul.
Captain Steve Smith has been so impressed with Marsh’s bowling that he this week http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-west-indies-2015-16/content/story/956221.html told media that when Marsh was in rhythm he was “as good as any of the bowlers around the country at the moment”.
Regardless of how well Marsh is bowling, though, he is failing in his main task. As a member of Australia’s top six, Marsh needs to make regular meaningful contributions with the bat. So effective is his bowling, that were he able to average 35 with the bat he would be a very valuable Test cricketer.
Yet that batting mark appears a distant dream at this stage. Forget maintaining an average of 35, it has been nine Tests now since Marsh has even reached 35 runs in an innings.
A powerful striker of the ball, he started his Test career brightly with the blade, making five scores of 27 or more in his first six innings. Among those was a terrific double of 87 and 47 in his second Test, against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi, as the Australian batting lineup crumbled twice.
In his past nine Tests, however, Marsh has a high score of 34, while having made just 153 runs at 15. To further outline how badly he has laboured with the bat, in their last nine Tests Mitchell Starc made 215 runs and Mitchell Johnson 194 runs.
It will be interesting to see whether Australia consider pushing Marsh up the order at the SCG to offer him the chance for a long bat. As much as Marsh has looked in poor touch at Test level recently he also has often found himself arriving at the crease with his team pushing for a declaration.
At the start of this summer I argued that Marsh and rookie batsmen Usman Khawaja and Joe Burns should be given all six home Tests to prove themselves. Marsh is expected to play at the SCG, which will be his seventh consecutive Test.
That is a generous run. Unless he can show a marked improvement in batting touch next week, he should not be retained in the side for the tour of New Zealand.
It seems likely that those two Tests against the Kiwis will be played on green, seaming tracks, similar to those on which the Australian batting collapsed in England this year.
Kiwi pacemen Trent Boult and Tim Southee are lethal in such conditions. If Australia are to win that series they cannot afford to have a passenger in their top six.
Were Marsh to be dropped for that series, Victorian Marcus Stoinis should replace him.
Stoinis does not boast the same pedigree with the ball, but his first-class bowling record of 14 wickets at 66 drastically undersells his ability as a frugal fifth bowler. While he doesn’t boast great pace, operating in the 125-135kmh range, Stoinis’ strength is his control.
He has been used sparingly this Sheffield Shield season by a Victorian side which has a very strong frontline attack, plus quality fifth and sixth bowling options in Dan Christian and Glenn Maxwell. But Stoinis underlined the useful role he can play with the ball in Australia A’s two unofficial Tests against India A in Chennai in July.
On lifeless pitches, Stoinis took 3-93 from 42 overs across those two matches, conceding a miserly 2.2 runs per over. Playing the same role that would be expected of him in the Test side, he maintained pressure while the frontline bowlers rested.
If the pitches in New Zealand are as bowler-friendly as expected, then the Tests should be low scoring and the workload on frontline bowlers not excessive. In such conditions, a fifth bowler capable of sending down eight to ten economical overs a day would suffice.
On green decks, Stoinis’ accurate mix of swing and seam would not be easy to get away. He shapes as a handy bowler to keep things tight at one end in between bursts by Australia’s quicks.
Of course, it is Stoinis’ neat technique and circumspection with the blade which offer him a major advantage over Marsh. In what probably will be difficult conditions for batting in New Zealand, having an accomplished top order batsman at number six, rather than an out-of-form hitter, would greatly stiffen the Australian batting.
A top seven of David Warner, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Adam Voges, Marcus Stoinis and Peter Nevill would rival any in Test cricket. After being denied regular opportunities for Western Australia early in his career, Stoinis has blossomed since being made Victoria’s number three in the Sheffield Shield.
He has become a highly-dependable batsman, making 1442 runs at 48 in his past 19 Shield games.On his batting alone, Stoinis is a worthy Test prospect. Stoinis’ better-than-they-look medium pace offerings may just edge him into the Test side if Marsh fails to shine with the bat at the SCG.
James Fitzgerald
Roar Rookie
I think with the lack of a viable alternative, Marsh will have the spot to lose for the foreseeable future. Especially with tours of NZ and a rather soft tour of Sri Lanka later in the year, Faulkner is the only realistic option going forward, but as Ronan stated, he hasnt been setting the world on fire, his only claim is his rather impressive ODI record over the past 2 years. Although i do think another soft showing in tough batting conditions, Marsh might find himself in a bit of trouble.
Bearfax
Guest
Some good points there Bugs. Personally if a change has to occur I would go Maxwell, but Stoinis is good too, just not as good over a longer period. But like you I would be sticking with Mitch Marsh. He's struggling with the bat but his bowling is outstanding and he has shown in first class cricket that he has the skills with the willow. He's of an age where patience is needed.
Bugs
Guest
Hi Ronan, Interesting article, and I can see your point clearly, which others obviously can't. In NZ, bowling teams out won't be an issue, so the need for a strong 5th bowler is reduced, but the need for a strong # 6 batsman is increased. As MMarsh has failed overall with the bat (for a # 6), a point almost everyone agrees on, bring in someone in better form. Further, you've nominated in Stoinis a player I nominated last year to look out for, although I thought it would take another year at least before he was ready. Stoinis looks the goods long term. However, as much as it looks like I'm going to agree with you up to this point, I cannot agree with your call of dropping MMarsh. Everyone, absolutely everyone, thinks he's a gun in the making. And whilst he's had a few tests in a row, without flourishing, I think its prudent for the long term outcome to leave him there a little longer and giving him more time to develop. Steve Waugh (wrongly I felt at the time) got 27 tests before he made a century - that's two full years! But it worked out in the long run. If MMarsh is as talented as the cricketing coaches / selectors / media tell us, give him a little more time, even if that means a little short term pain. You've regularly called for selection security in the past, and I think we need to pause and give that security to MMarsh a little longer. After all, if NZ beat us, we just might get to play them again sooner in what would be a much anticipated re-match.
Gareth Kidd
Roar Guru
It's an allrounder slot. Maybe talk about Lynn when Voges retires/gets the boot. Although CA loooooove Shaun Marsh to bits.
Gareth Kidd
Roar Guru
Faulkner. He's proven his tenacity and resolve. Only given one chance in Tests, yet he's proven his character in the short form. And still averaging 30+ in First Class.
Bearfax
Guest
Ah selective criticism as usual. No mention that I qualified the comment about Lynn's T 20 performance by saying that I dont take note of that alone. No mention by you about his age. No mention about his 45 first class batting average, a quite startling average when you consider his injuries which ordinarily sap averages. Never disputed by the way that your hero was an excellent short form player and have mentioned his efforts in these forums. Funny how one phrase, by implication, can consistently be taken out of context and used as the primary issue. Unlike you Don I dont look at states when I'm determining the quality of a player. Your suggestion in the past that there is a discrimination against those in the west is in your own mind and insecurities. I rarely see that mentioned as an issue. Very few care about the state issue. Its not like the tribalism of Rugby League or Australian Rules.
Don Freo
Guest
Yep...averaging 71...just behind Hussey. Interesting to see whether you rank anyone from the West averaging 186.
Casper
Guest
Might as well pick James Hopes if you want 125k bowling and a contribution with the bat, Stoinis has been fairly unimpressive of late. They have to stick with Mitch Marsh since they've gone this far. Just show the kiwi more respect then they did the poms in the ashes. Saw very little movement of the feet during those poor batting collapses, Warner needs to put more value on his wicket.
Bearfax
Guest
Just been watching the Heat win their first game and a man called Chris Lynn scoring 75 off about 30 balls. Now I'm not much for selecting short form batsmen for tests. But this Lynn is brilliant, a stand out in the T20 matches. But what wins me is his consistency, his age at 25 and the fact in first class cricket he averages 45. I've always said Warner, Smith and Khawaja were likely to be the basis of Australia's future test side. I had Hughes as the fourth. I now suggest Lynn is the next. He may not get a chance in tests for at least the next 8 months to a year, but I have no doubt if his body stays healthy, he has Voges position tied up when Voges retires.
Bearfax
Guest
Not sure who that comment was directed at Jake, but if its my comment about Cosgrove, I would suggest you check out the double meaning, (girth...all rounder). It was said in jest.
Jamie
Guest
Marsh has hardly had the chance to make any runs. When he has come into bat it has been to make quick runs before a declaration, so he is out there to hit as many runs as possible and do it quickly. No wonder he hasn't made that many runs, he simply hasn't had the opportunity.
Bearfax
Guest
Its like bees to nectar Alan. I cant resist the unwinnable challenge.
AlanKC
Guest
I admire your persistence Bear and I have absolute belief and faith that your persistence will be in vain. Much as the building of grass aeroplanes by the South Pacific Cargo Cults, no matter how much belief or faith they had in it, was in vain.
Bearfax
Guest
I guess you could even consider Cosgrove as somewhat of an all rounder, but not necessarily because he can bat and bowl a bit.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Well, that's what Ronan is kind of saying. Stoinis is a batsman who can 'hold' as a bowler. On those terms he's a reasonable pick but just don't call him an all-rounder.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
I doubt any West Aussie fans were saying that Marsh wasn't a bowler.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
I'd like to see Maxwell in the test team again at some point. I know he can play like a man with no brain, but if he could just temper his short-term approach, he could be very good. When he's bothered, he's got excellent footwork. Mind you, I said the same about Haddin and he drove me round the bend with his slash and burn approach to batting.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
How are his medium-pacers handy though? His bowling can't be part of the selection process. As a batsman alone, I agree he could be in the picture.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Bingo!
fp11
Guest
M. Marsh doesn't need to be replaced (certainly not by Stoinis). He's doing just fine. Great bowler and not far away from making his first Test hundred. His brother is a fine player too.