Mitchell Marsh’s position is currently the most problematic in the Australia team.;
All the other contenders for a place in the top-six have made a case to be considered.
David Warner and Steve Smith are the two definites who demand selection.
Even still, they have shown form in the current round of Sheffield Shield fixtures for NSW with Warner going to stumps on day two 41 not out and Smith making a first innings 117.
Of the others, Joe Burns (129) and Usman Khawaja (79) have starred with the bat for Queensland and Shaun Marsh (73) has dispelled concerns over his recent hamstring strain.
While Adam Voges made just 20 in Western Australia’s first innings against South Australia he is coming off a stellar Matador Cup in which he compiled four half-centuries among his 301 runs at an average of 75.2.
A smoky in the shape of South Australia’s Callum Ferguson has also been among the runs with 154 in the Matador Cup against the Cricket Australia XI and 101 in the Shield match against Western Australia.
And then there is Mitch Marsh.
Since returning from the one-day tour of South Africa he has played two Matador Cup innings for scores of three and one.
In the first innings of the Shield match at the WACA Ground he made just 12 and had figures of 2-84 off 18 overs come the end of the second day.
Marsh has been a project player for quite some time having been identified early on as the next all-rounder in the Australian Test side.
Ever since Andrew Flintoff dismembered Australia during the 2005 Ashes series the selectors have been desperate to find an all-rounder.
Both Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson filled that desire for a period and recently Marsh has been the anointed one.
To date he has played 18 Tests, during which time he has scored 600 runs at 24.0 with two half-centuries.
They are hardly the sort of numbers expected from a Test number six.
Since the start of last summer, Marsh has played 11 Tests for a batting average of 20.7.
Additionally, his bowling has lacked real penetration in that time with 18 wickets at 37.1.
The three-Test series against South Africa will be a tremendous test for Australia’s batsmen with the Proteas currently boasting the best pace attack in world cricket.
Headed up by Dale Steyn (416 wickets at 22.2), it also includes Vernon Philander (130 at 22.1), Morne Morkel (242 at 29.3) and exciting 21-year-old firebrand Kagiso Rabada (29 at 24.4).
The Australian batting has shown a propensity for significant collapses in recent times.
The sight of Mitch Marsh striding out to the middle looking to shore things up will likely cause the Proteas little concern.
Ian Chappell has long espoused the philosophy that if four bowlers cannot get the job done it is unlikely that five will.
In Marsh’s case, on face value, he would not have a big impact with the ball.
At times Smith seems very reticent to use him, as if he is worried that a larger bowling workload will disturb his batting.
In the recent Test series against Sri Lanka, Marsh was called upon to bowl just 35 overs in Australia’s series total of 501.
When both Burns and Khawaja were dropped for the last Test in Sri Lanka they were replaced by Shaun Marsh and Moises Henriques.
Like Mitch Marsh, Henriques is not currently at a true Test all-rounder level.
Given the potent South African attack there is a very strong case for a specialist batsman at number six in the upcoming series.
If it were me, I would consider having Burns and Warner open the batting with either Khawaja or Shaun Marsh at three with the other at five.
Smith would bat at four with Voges dropping to number six.
Currently, the Mitch Marsh experiment is not bearing the fruit it needs to.
Having turned 25 a week ago there is still plenty of time for him to mature into a true Test quality all-rounder.
However, at present, it is not working and this summer the team needs a different dynamic.
Warren Jones
Guest
Mitchell Marsh must go, just can't perform at this level. No wickets and no runs and they keep him in there,sacking Rod Marsh would be another way of getting rid of him.
armchair expert
Guest
M.Marsh bowled less than 10 balls more under Clarke per test than he has under Smith.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Well said Spruce. A quick glance at the figures shows that Stokes is a far superior cricketer right now. But I will give Marsh a pass on criticisms of his bowling. I think he's a far better bowler than he is given credit for and had Smith had the confidence in him that he should have, would have far more overs under him with much better figures. I think his bowling is good enough to pick up the third seamer spot in this team, especially if Hazlewood or Starc were unfit. If he was deemed fit enough to take that role, I wouldn't be unhappy with them selecting him at 8 and then allowing him the time to develop up the order if he does manage to lock down the third seamers spot. One thing is for sure, we need 6 specialist batsmen in this side based on the allrounder talent available.
Don Freo
Guest
I've been telling you about Marcus Harris for years now. Cartwright is a better bowler than Stoinis but he is nothing special with the ball.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Bare stats again Ronan when I know you're a closer observer than that. You ignore how he's already showing the ability to turn a game with either bat or ball (not Botham yet and likely never will be but there none the less in a way Marsh just doesn't show) and a brilliant fielder (like that doesn't count). You just blow your credibility every time you do this.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Some people cheese way too easily.
deccas
Guest
stokes has won several tests with his performances though, incredible centuries and some bags of wickets. Marsh is consistent, but he is consistently below the standard of what he is chosen to do.
Brasstacks
Guest
I am an Aussie, but even though Bangladesh ran them close, the Poms won and that's what matters. They won because of quality lower order batting and fighting spirit... two things we sorely lack the moment things start going south. Had we played Bangladesh in the first test and been 5-62 in the second innings, Bangladesh would have won by lunch on the 5th day. These are the bare facts. As long as we play Mitch Marsh and Neville at six and seven, we will be a 5 batsman test team.
dan ced
Guest
What about Cartwright? Probably needs more kilometres.
abc
Guest
I want current aus team as old aus team like 6 batsman country best and keeper batsman country best but he should bat like gilly/haddin i don't care his keeping like doren/handscomb and than 4 bowler's country best thats it otherwise you can't win at long run
BurgyGreen
Guest
Gilly may not have been Healy with the gloves, but he was far superior to Wade who is a complete liability behind the stumps.
Ches
Guest
Wade is not a "Healy" of keeping. But having said neither was Gilchrist. Wade could so have the No7 keeping job for Australia if he did not have personality issues. They guy is a million dollar talent 2 cent brain. Shame really.
Basil
Guest
I agree about Fergusson. He is a class act and won't let us down. It's a massive shame he did his knee just as he was establishing himself as a permanent fixture of the ODI team. As for M.Marsh, he has scored 12 and a first ball duck vs Redbacks. Whether one is a fan or not, it's apparent that he's out of form and needs to find some touch in the Shield. Afterall, we are playing South Africa not the West Indies this series.
Basil
Guest
Pick Sayers. He'll run in all day into the wind, keep it tight, and move it both ways. Gets plenty of bowled and LBW's because he makes batsmen play. No need for an allrounder as he'll bowl the allrounders portion as well.
Rob JM
Guest
Mitch Marsh Is a lock for the first test, It's only when we get knocked over cheaply at home that they will seriously consider his position.
Doogs
Guest
They are interesting figures Tim. I would like to see the top six in each team around the world. I read a recent article on Asian batsmen doing horridly away from home. Even worse than our own - hard to believe but true. Personally , I wish that was not the case with teams playing overseas (excluding Pakistan). I wish the stats were closer because it is becoming so predictable.
Steele
Guest
Ferguson has really turned a corner of late. Common sense has him or another middle order batsman replacing replacing M.Marsh but obviously that's not a selectors prerequisite. I'll be shattered if Siddle gets another crack as well. Just don't rate him, lacks penetration.
Doogs
Guest
I agree with you. It is very odd. I don't think Clarke bowled him much either. Not sure why that is the case
Steele
Guest
Sandgropers opinion's don't count! No credibility in such matters. Propensity to overstate home grown talents is bewildering(helllooo Don and Ronan)hehe
Doogs
Guest
Interesting about how you love to sink the boot into Australia. Your magnificent poms nearly got beaten in the first test by Bangladesh and in the one dayers as well. But hey, they are incredible and you rate them at the top. Every time you post something you are doing your best to cheese people off.