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If Mitch Marsh wants to keep his Test spot, he better bat well

Is Mitch Marsh worth a gamble? (AAP Image/David Mariuz)
Roar Guru
24th July, 2016
13

The Australian Test side has performed very well since the retirement of former captain Michael Clarke.

Most players should be fairly confident that their place in the team is safe. But one player who should be under pressure to keep his spot in the side is number six Mitchell Marsh.

Marsh made his Test debut in October 2014 in the UAE against Pakistan. His selection was the result of a couple factors, namely an injury to regular all rounder Shane Watson and also that the selectors were looking to pick two spinners and wanted an all rounder to play as the third quick.

With all rounder Watson injured, Marsh got to play.

In a series where that rest of the batting line up fell apart, Marsh performed well with the bat. In total he averaged 41 and was able to kept his spot even after Watson returned to the side from injury.

In the following series against India, Marsh again performed with the bat averaging 32.66 from two matches before getting injured.

At this point Marsh had a respectable bating average of 37.42.

However since his Test recall during last year’s Ashes series Marsh has only managed to average 14.58 with the bat. The problem with picking Marsh is that the side is basically giving up a bating spot in order to pick an extra bowler.

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If Marsh doesn’t bat well in Sri Lanka, the selectors may decide to drop him and have the top six made up entirely of batsmen.

If that occurs Shaun Marsh (scored 182 in his last Test match before being dropped) or Glenn Maxwell (averaged 56 in the last Sheffield Shield season) could be in line for a Test recall.

What do you think, Roarers? Has Mitch Marsh done enough with the ball to justify his inclusion, or is it time that he starts firing with the willow?

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