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.
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?
bearfax
Guest
I wouldnt be leaving out Patterson. He's become NSWs main blade over the past season.
Craig Swanson
Guest
I too have advocated Mitch batting at seven. Would be under less pressure and he could play his natural game. Perhaps we are expecting too much from our all rounder. If he can score handy runs and take handy wickets then surely he is justifying his selection. Mitch is still developing his game. If you want someone to show patience and bat time then select a specialist batsman at #6.
Craig Swanson
Guest
I agree about the young blades Bear but let them wait their turn. I understand Ferguson was on the CA radar for a test debut before his second ACL injury , Boof said as much. Two of these youngsters are Bancroft and Renshaw who I believe have the makeup to be our next long term test openers. Looking forward to watching this A series.. if CA live streams it that is.
Rocko
Roar Guru
I think this is a very similar trajectory to Steve Waugh's career and he needs some time - perhaps drop down to 7 may help that given his wicket-taking has been invaluable.
bearfax
Guest
There are a couple of young blades I would consider before Ferguson Craig. And they are playing in the AusA side in a few days. Will be interesting to see how they fare.
Craig Swanson
Guest
Before I see Maxwell back in a baggy green I would like to see him produce a follow up shield season.. just so we know it was not an aberration. Surely Callum Ferguson finally deserves a shot at test cricket? He has put in three solid shield seasons on the trot since his horrific leg injury blew him out of the game for almost two years.
Craig Swanson
Guest
This is an ongoing debate that will only end when the talented Mitch Marsh finally nails test runs. If the coaches have been doing their homework they will have been persuading Mitch to be more relaxed, letting the good length ball go and using softer hands when needing to play. This is not the end of the road if he does not get runs this series but it will be the beginning of a flourishing test career if he does.
Craig Swanson
Guest
Marsh will be the third seamer as CA have picked SOK and Lyon for the first test. Hope this move does not backfire on us and we are left a pace bowler short. The Lankans will no doubt target the spin pair and try to hit them out of the attack as quickly as they can.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Didn't we have this discussion last week? I think because of how well Marsh is bowling, and on the basis that he can really bat (he averages 39 with the bat in ODIs), he deserves time to settle in. I'd swap marsh and Nevill round in the batting order for a while, too.
matth
Guest
His bowling is even developing to the point where, even if the batting does not develop, he would do well as our third seamer behind Hazlewood and Starc.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
I think they can continue to carry him, but he should move to 7 with Nevill at 6. #neverevermaxwell
Sideline Comm.
Guest
Well whatever the case, I don't think they'll play 6 batsmen. Henriques will probably play Marsh gets dropped. That said, he'll have to perform very poorly in the tests, and then again really poorly in the ODIs vs SA in SA, to be dropped for the tests again them.
bearfax
Guest
If he was a batsman only I'd have given him the flick long ago. But despite his poor batting form, he has been a revelation with the ball. For that reason I think he deserves time to see if he can get the bat on the ball consistently. He's still young and will develop. If things dont improve, he can always be dropped for a time to ensure he gets more Shield experience and then brought back. I'm reminded about how poorly Steve Waugh started as a test batsman. And what of Hayden. I suspect the talent is there, but the confidence, and perhaps shot selection needs work. For now we have the benefit of what seems a strong first five, so we can afford some latitude. The only option I would consider would be at this stage Maxwell.