The first Test between Australia and South Africa begins tomorrow, with Mitch Marsh looking to take the all-rounders place, batting at 6 and bowling quite a bit with the expectation of Mitch Starc being undercooked and needing reprieve.
This is all very good and well, until you consider Marsh’s form of late, which gives little confidence of his ability as a batsman or a bowler.
Jackson Bird was apparently not picked because selectors didn’t rate his ability with the bat, which makes you wonder what Marsh is being picked for given he can’t seem to do either.
With this in mind, I’ve identified the Top five alternatives to Marsh as the number 6.
1. Travis Head
Remember when Australia had middle-order batsmen who could score centuries, look good doing it, and bowl a bit of spin to relieve the main bowlers? You know, when we had players like Darren Lehmann, Andrew Symonds and Mark Waugh coming in at 5 or 6?
Call me crazy, but those were the days when we used to win a lot of cricket, and there may be something to having more run scoring options in the side.
Head is a very good batsman who can bowl a bit, but probably shouldn’t be picked for it. Further, he is only 22 years of age and could have a long role in the team ahead of him. Getting a prolonged run at 6 could set him up better than ditching smashed avo helps new home buyers.
2. John Hastings
‘The Duke’ is arguably the best and most reliable international all-rounder in Australia at the moment. He regularly takes wickets in ODIs and can be relied upon to guide the team home in chases or hit it out.
More of a bowling all-rounder than a batting all rounder, he is a genuine chance to take wickets (he was once picked in a Test as a bowler) and can bowl long spells.
While not the most graceful person to have picked up a cricket bat, Hastings can keep his head and compile innings, rather than simply swipe at every ball like someone at the checkout at Coles.
3. Marcus Stoinis
Stoinis plays with a bat that is so straight that Tony Abbott feels very comfortable in its company. Coming in higher up the order for Victoria, Stoinis could provide some stability and reliability in the middle overs.
He also bowls quickly and consistently, if unspectacularly, and at 27 years of age has plenty of upside to offer.
4. Glenn Maxwell
‘The Big Show’ is similar to Marsh in many ways, with seemingly unending and unfulfilled talent that commentators insist on talking about until you repeat it to yourself in your sleep.
Maxwell has little Test experience, but has been used primarily as a top order batsman. Batting with in the middle orders may force Maxwell to take some responsibility and bat sensibly. Also, he can play spin pretty well, which is generally of benefit to a middle order bat.
His spin is nothing to write home about, or even email, but he is primarily being picked to bat and help provide the main bowlers with a rest.
5. Shaun Marsh
A controversial pick, but one that ensures that at least one of the Marsh brothers is picked in the side, something selectors seem to feel very strongly about.
Like Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh is an excellent player of spin and seems to prosper when there is less pressure (e.g. against the West Indies side that was offered up last summer), so like the US Army, could be more successful coming in closer to the end than the beginning.
While he doesn’t provide a bowling option, that is hardly a change from what his brother is doing now.
Broken=hearted Toy
Guest
As usual players who aren't in the team are going to offer more than in the players in the team. Until they get in the team, then it's same old, same old, get someone ELSE who will be brilliant!
Adrian
Guest
Faulkner?
Adrian
Guest
100% agree with that top 6. If no one is demanding selection as an allrounder, you don't put one in. As it is, Starc is averaging more with the bat than M Marsh is. He could be considered a bowling allrounder. What's with selecting Mennie ahead of Bird for his batting ability, but then playing him 12th?
Don Freo
Guest
Every chance of that. India is not overly special. Many plodders in that team.
TheAnalyst
Guest
"be back there really soon...probably by next month" Doubt it, unless you're anticipating India to lose to England which won't happen.
Don Freo
Guest
We have won plenty with a Simon O'Donnell, Andrew Symonds type too (certainly not in the top 6 batsmen of their time). Everyone was better than O'Donnell and Hodge, Siddons, Love, Law were all better than Symonds. It depends on who is available. Mitch Marsh offers great possibility. Tom Moody was another. They needed 6 genuine batsmen in the past. They don't now. When they didn't need an all rounder it was because they had the freak attack of Warne and McGrath. The excellence of Warner, Shaun Marsh, Khawaja, Smith and Voges allows an all rounder. That's why Australia has been so dominant in recent years. It has only been a few Tests where it hasn't worked. That's why Oz got to #1 recently. They'll be back there again really soon...probably by next month.
Don Freo
Guest
Have you looked at Travis Head last season? Why bother with averages from 3, 4 or 5 years ago when he was finding his feet? Citing an average like that makes no comment about a cricketer's ability or form.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Australia won plenty of cricket using 6 batsmen, a keeper and four bowlers. The batsmen were all chosen on their ability with the bat. We have been lucky over the years to have batsmen like Walters, Greg Chappell and the Waugh brothers who could bowl some useful overs. the problem now is that we don't have these type of players at the moment but that doesn't mean we to have an allrounder in the team.
matth
Guest
And over 60 with the ball
Don Freo
Guest
Hastings is a trundler with the ball and a tailender with the bat...and almost as old as Adam...the original Adam...not just Vogesy. I wonder, Rev... Have you have heard of Jack Wildermuth? If you are talking about the future, keep an eye on him. You wouldn't replace Mitch with a same old, same old recycled player.
Don Freo
Guest
Marsh opening AND batting #6. I'd love that!
AREH
Roar Guru
I don't think you can disregard Henriques either in this argument...granted, I've never exactly been his biggest fan, but if his FC form can continue on from some pleasing efforts in the Matador Cup, I think he still deserves another look. I know he was a deer in the headlights in Sri Lanka but so were most of our top six.
TheRev
Roar Pro
Hi Naresh, Can I suggest that you get in touch with Dan Liebke?
Naresh Kumar Sharma
Guest
I fail to understand why Aussie selectors had been cold and reluctant to pick Glenn Maxwell in Test cricket. He is the best option for Australian batting at number 6 since he is a mercurial batsmen like former wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist who bailed Australia out of tough situation on various occasions whenever top order failed, Australian selectors need to blood Maxwell into the Test side at the earliest otherwise Australian and world cricket will be deprived of Maxwell's rich talent.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Shaun Marsh is a great suggestion. That way we get 6 batsmen. Warner Burns Khawaja Smith Voges S.Marsh Perfect.
TheRev
Roar Pro
I like the Chinese Wreath idea, I had previously been supporting horse-whipping him in the street.
TheRev
Roar Pro
Thanks for the tip Lancey, will give it a go.
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
Pretty average effort. Stoinis is the only current viable alternative, and his bowling is not as penetrative as Marsh's. His batting is definitely more solid, so he could come in for Marsh if he fails in this series.
JohnB
Guest
If you bear in mind that Travis Head turns 23 in about a month and that this is his 6th Shield season, and look at his progression from when he started at age 18 up to now, it's not absurd to say he's a contender. It's all very well to quote a first class average as if that's the end of the story, but shouldn't you take into account that one third of his Shield innings were when he was only 18 or 19 (and at least 4 seasons back) and consider discounting those early numbers and looking more at what he's done more lately, as he's got to an age when most first class players are just starting out? His bowling would need to improve before you could say he was a consistent option - currently it's not that much better than Steve Smith's. His batting returns however have been improving season by season, and he had something of a break out year last year making some big scores at important times. Consistency remains a question but talent doesn't. Would I pick him now? No. Is he one to keep an eye on? Definitely.
Don Piper
Guest
A house brick would be a good alternative to Mitch Marsh at the moment. Glen Maxwell is an inane (look it up in the dictionary) suggestion, he is pure hit and giggle, no class Travis Head is the best choice, especially for the foul, stinky, poor, dirty Indian wickets Mitch Marsh needs at least a 50 in the first 2 tests or we should kick him savagely to the curb with a Christmas wreath around his neck