The first Test at the WACA begins with both Marsh brothers in the Australian side after question marks in the media about their respective positions.
The question marks surrounded Shaun more for fitness reasons, and Mitch due to concerns about his output as an all rounder, specifically his batting at number 6.
Critics of Shaun will say he has underachieved somewhat over his career. An average of 40 with four centuries from 18 Tests suggest a pretty decent return. There was a bit of conjecture about who would get the nod between Marsh and Joe Burns for the first test.
I would suggest that whichever way the selectors went they would have copped criticism. Marsh scored runs in his last Test innings and obviously the selectors felt this warranted inclusion straight up.
Shaun has had his fair share of injury trouble. Mainly hamstring and back trouble and in recent times a broken finger. He works at looking after himself as best he can with his back, and hopefully this will minimise the back and hamstring issues he has had to deal with during his career.
He is a very laid back and popular character within the Australian and WA dressing rooms. He is also incredibly popular in the north of India, where he has represented Kings X1 Punjab in the IPL with distinction. I sensed there was a bit of a superstitious side to Shaun when I was an assistant coach at Kings X1 in 2011. He asked me for some throw downs before a match and proceeded to score runs that game.
The following games he sought me out on a number of occasions to throw him 10 or so balls to hit even if he had prepared beforehand. This made me smile – it was the sort of thing I used to do in my playing days!
From what I have seen, the selectors like Shaun’s relaxed yet focussed demeanour, which is of real benefit in a cricket environment. Long days, time on the road. Knowing when to switch on and off.
He has made important contributions in challenging situations as well and on the back of his work in Sri Lanka and in the most recent round of Shield matches, I can see why he has got first crack at his home ground of the WACA. He knows that a very good player in Joe Burns is waiting in the wings so he understands that he will need to perform.
Mitchell, or ‘Bison’ as he is known, is rightly thought of very highly by the Australian hierarchy. An attacking middle order player and bustling seamer, he is an exciting all round option for Australia. He is currently being afforded a good run of it in the Test side, however comments by Rod Marsh suggest that the selectors are starting to lose patience with young Mitch.
Two scores of 50 plus from 18 Tests is a modest return and Mitch will be the first to admit he needs runs.
The danger is for him to focus too much on the end result i.e. number of runs. Instead, he should channel his focus and energy into the things that allow him to score runs.
This could include routines, gameplans and scoring opportunities against each bowler, understanding conditions and watching the ball. If he focuses on his processes as opposed to the end result he will give himself the best chance of doing well.
As for Mitch’s bowling, I believe it is coming along very nicely. Critics will argue that 27 wickets in 18 Tests isn’t what’s needed. Looking a bit deeper gives us a bit more of an understanding and suggested areas of improvement.
First off, Mitch is playing as fourth seamer so he won’t bowl as many overs usually as the three front line quicks. His strike rate of 62 is good. If he is bowling 15 overs a match it’s no surprise he is averaging less than two wickets per Test!
Where I suggest he can make an improvement is with his economy rate. Mitch is skilful enough to improve his discipline with his line and length and bring that economy rate down from 3.51 runs per over.
He can be the seamer that Steve Smith can rely on to go for a wicket if the game is drifting as well as control the run rate. A ten per cent improvement will be noticeable and it is well within Mitch’s grasp to achieve that.
The Marsh lads are two fine Australian cricketers that are primed for big summers in the Baggy Green.
Johnno
Guest
You last played Test cricket 10 years ago. Has cricket changed alot in all aspects or was the game much the same. In my view test cricket was very different in like 2005 compared to the 90's etc. But not sure if cricket 2005-6 is very different to now. And that's all aspects, tehcnology standards, preperation, training methods.
Jason Gillespie
Guest
Rubbish. I only played on that tour due to injuries to a few key bowlers and the great man G McGrath being on personal leave. The next test after that tour was 6-7 months later- if I was a selector I probably would have made the same call.
Don Piper
Guest
I doubt it Shaun Marsh to get around 11 runs and then a duck in the 2nd innings
Chris Love
Roar Guru
That's funny! I would though like to see Jason's thoughts on getting dropped after making a double century? Has that ever happened in the history of cricket? Is it true that you were dropped because you happen to be involved in a run out of the captain in the same innings?
Chris Love
Roar Guru
That's a fair call Jason, but remember that S Waugh pulled off some incredible 80's/90's against a great Windies side in that rare patch before his first ton and was in great ODI form with both bat and ball.
steve
Guest
Im of the opinion that Cartwright is a better batsman than Marsh, his technique is much tighter and his shots are much more technically correct but only time will tell I guess, id like to see a full shield season from Cartwright before my opinion turns to fact. Dont get me wrong, Im a big fan of Mitchell Marsh and desperately want him to come good with the bat, but he can only get so many chances and if he fails through the SA series he will be dropped for the Pakistan series, he's on his last legs.
Paul D
Roar Guru
For once Don, I wholeheartedly agree with you
Don Freo
Guest
Did you see how well Mitch did in the sub continent while most others failed? When you reach 33, Charlie, you'll realise it is not old at all. You certainly won't be thinking you are suddenly old and immobile.
JohnB
Guest
Rob JM, given that none of those players has yet made a definitive case, the options also include anyone who comes along and scores good runs while taking 1 or 1 and a bit wickets a game. That could be someone like Travis Head - or someone who's just starting out in state cricket.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
No matter what these guys do they will still have critics calling for them to be dropped That is just the nature of sports fans
The Bush
Roar Guru
Why is Henriques anymore likely to make it at number six for Australia? His FC batting average is 31 and that is despite being four years older and having a far lower percentage of his overall FC experiencing being tests. Honestly it's a disgrace that he's ever been selected to play for Australia. Marsh may not turn out to be the all rounder we all want him to be, but at least at 25 he's got time to improve.
Charlief
Guest
Im slightly confused with the Mitch Marsh situation , Mitch Marsh is selected based on potential , even though he has had 18 tests to realise that potential but Joe Burns 27 is not picked on potential ahead of a Shaun Marsh who arguably is talented however he is 33. On another note why have they not picked Maxwell he definitely could not do worse than Mitch Marsh for sure in the sub continent
Paul D
Roar Guru
Mitch is a great bowler. His batting is good when he's on, he just gets bowled a lot. Apart from that, no worries. I wouldn't pick Henriques, I just don't rate him at all. Adam Gilchrist thinks he's ordinary and that's a good enough recommendation for me.
Don Freo
Guest
Mitch will. He has 10 more years.
Don Freo
Guest
Mitch Marsh is a better batsman than Hilton Cartwright. They are the same age and Mitch has missed so much Shield cricket because That Kiwi bloke that is sabotaging Oz cricket keeps making him miss games when he is available. Last year Mitch played one innings for a 50. Mitch will explode into your admiration very soon and you'll be greatly embarrassed. Get rid of the Kiwi (high performance indeed!) and Oz cricket's kids will finally arrive. Marsh, Cummins, Pattinson, Paris, Stanlake, Behrendorff, Makin...let these guys have careers.
Rod
Guest
Will be interesting to see what track is offered up as we have had a very mild Spring here in Perth so far. WACA pitch is best as a 3rd Test deck, giving it time to bake in the hot sun. Mid 30s here on Saturday, but far from the usual weather the WACA would have had beforehand. Don't be surprised that there will be a green deck on day one, and a slow, flat deck by mid day 3.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Do you mean post Gilchrist? Because pre and during Gilchrist ( he has his on time scale now it seems) what had a specialist batsman at 6. Maybe only when Roy came into the team did that alter.
Don Freo
Guest
I know. I was responding to Baz.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Precisely...hence the continue to translate rather than start to translate but I guess I wasnt clear... I am not a Marsh fan but hes definately good enough to be in the XI.
brains of a bimbo (atgm)
Guest
I think these guys shud hv scored 8k runs with the talent they possess. I agree sean is in good form nd must be part of the squad in india even if he fails in summer