Shaun Marsh and Mitch Marsh together have made 669 runs at an average of 96 in this Ashes.
Anyone who before the series predicted such a return for the much-maligned Marsh brothers would have been mocked mercilessly.
And rightly so, because it is an unfathomable return from two cricketers who were fortunate even to be picked to play in this series.
When the elder Marsh pushed incumbent Glenn Maxwell out of the side for the first Test I was shocked, as were many cricket fans and pundits.
It’s not that Shaun Marsh was an awful choice, rather that it seemed dreadfully unfair on Maxwell, who had comfortably outperformed Shaun in Australia’s recent Tests in Asia.
Awful choice, however, was exactly how I felt about the elevation of Mitch Marsh to the Australian XI for the third Test in Perth.
The all-rounder had averaged just 17 with the bat in Tests over the previous three years, across 18 matches.
Yet here we are now in what seems almost like an alternate universe, one in which everything about life is the same, except that here Mitch Marsh smashes Test runs for fun. In four knocks this series Mitch has made 282 runs. To highlight just how extraordinary that is, consider that it’s as many runs as he made in his previous 16 Test innings combined.
I’ve delved into the technical refinements Mitch has made and also analysed his improved temperament.
Both of those elements of his game were on show yesterday as he continued his rampant form with 63 not out as Australia went to stumps at 4-479, a lead of 133 runs. Mitch’s innings was like a mix of the commanding 181 he struck at Perth and his dour 29no from 166 balls at Melbourne.
He struggled early on, particularly against English leg spinner Mason Crane. But he didn’t throw his wicket away, instead toughing it out as he moved to 5 from 33 balls.
Then, in the space of five minutes, the game changed for Mitch as he clattered three boundaries in as many balls, two off Crane and another from the bowling of Stuart Broad.
By stumps, his last 58 runs had come from just 54 balls. Now, it must be said that the runs Mitch has hoarded in this series have come on three roads against a very ordinary English bowling attack.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
It will be a far different proposition for him in Australia’s next series against South Africa, whose supreme pace unit has routed India in the first Test in Cape Town.
Regardless, Mitch has taken truly enormous strides in this series and given generous reason for optimism about his Test future. So, too, has his brother Shaun who will start today needing just two runs to register his second ton of this Ashes.
That would be his fourth hundred in his past 12 Tests, during which he has piled up 951 runs at 53. Shaun is officially in the form of his life. Most importantly, he’s found the one thing which eluded him for so long in Test cricket – consistency.
Shaun has passed 50 in four of these five Ashes Tests and in the other match, in Perth, he cruised to 28 in his only innings before getting undone by a good ball from Moeen Ali. He has been resolute throughout the series, scoring at a strike rate of just 43 as he’s placed a high price on his wicket.
This is just what Australia needed from Shaun given the flakiness of their middle order in recent years. He has given it some steel.
That is also what will be required next month when Australia head to South Africa, a series which looms as the true litmus test for he and Mitch. But right now there’s cause to believe the Marsh brothers are finally starting to realise their great potential.
James Bakker
Roar Rookie
A good example of selectors showing patience with promising young talent and being rewarded. Hopefully, they give other players like Bancroft the same chance.
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
That’s my tip (and fervent wish) as well!
Don Freo
Guest
Referring to Ronan's numbers. Did you read or just pounce on comments?
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
I do agree that players over 32 should be considered even if only for a 3/4 year tenure although some you mention just haven't done enough consistently to justify further investment. Cowan had plenty of time to cement his position in the test side but he never did, averaging 31.28 and only averaging better than 35 in one of his six test series. Bailey possibly could have been shown more faith, but again. he didn't grasp the opportunity he had, averaging only 26 in the 5- 0 series whitewash over England. Michael Klinger simply didn't dominate at shield level. If he had, his career first class average would be higher than 39. He was often spoken about in selection meetings, but a look at his shield seasons make him easy to ignore for another option. Sometimes a younger player with a better average and obviously Chris Rogers and Adam Voges had a quality to their "experienced batsman" claims that Klinger couldn't match. 2016/17 431 runs at 23.94 2015/16 617 runs at 47.46 2014/15 1046 runs at 58.11 Voges averaged 100+ 2013/14 568 runs at 37.86 2012/13 330 runs at 19.41 Rogers selected averaging over 50 in shield and county cricket 2011/12 835 runs at 46.38 Cowan averaged 59 2010/11 346 runs at 23.06
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Why the 12 test number, Don? I assume that's because it includes his 182 against the West Indies, but doesn't include his other five 2015 tests where he averaged 26... Most of us are wrapped that both Shaun and Mitch made great contributions with the bat this series and hope for more of the same in South Africa. Just to play Devil's Advocate though... If either or both of them struggle against the South African attack, how long should their positions be secure for? As long as Burns, Maxwell and Handscomb or should they get special treatment because they are from WA?
Don Freo
Guest
You just sense that because you always say silly things. Many of us are on the same page here. You are just stuck on the cover picture still.
Spud-053
Guest
Is it not a funny thing to watch as these so called experts in things they are not, it also amazes me that when the selectors of our cricket team got together to pick the players for this years ashes Said: in very loud words nothing before this years earlier shield games was going to count for selection into the test team it was going to be what they had shown in the shield games before the first test or in Paine's case what he was able to achieve with the Australian Eleven for the warm up matches against England. With Paine it was always injuries to his hand that was keeping him out of the Australian side as he was and has since proved he was the best keeper in Australia, as for Bancroft's selection he did exactly what the selectors asked as so did the Marsh brothers, so maybe the smart asses around Australia who think they are better selectors by all means apply for the job as an Australian selector........ you will tell us Maxwell made a 200 but that was after the team was selected so please write something that is on factual nature.Listen to what the selectors have said they were going to do and you all may get something right for once ..... as for the idiots on the Channel Nine commentary box he always go on how better they were then the present day players ....... while I am at why is Australia a population of 25 million plus should be the best in the world at anything against Countries that start at 100 million I personally think we bat way above our status and when all is said and done most sports are against an opponent so why are we expected to win every time.
Rob
Guest
Maxi should have been given his opportunity at home this series ahead of both Shaun and Mitch. It's a personality clash with the captain. That's why the Marsh's have been given the opportunity. Good luck to them, they have finally done the job. I don't get excited and puff my chest out when Australia is flogging a very under performing and out classed opponent. You complain about everyones opinion Don.
Rob
Guest
You must have played a high level of park cricket charging in at 45 Don.
Don Freo
Guest
You won't find many agreeing with you on this one. The Pope was being ironic towards Ben.
Rob
Guest
Don, actually thinks fast bowlers are just getting warmed up after 90 overs in the field. Hence Mitch Marsh has scored runs against an "Energised" bowling attack I believe.
Egbirt
Guest
No never. http://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Players/PlayerBatGraph2.asp?PlayerID=3561 The picture of consistency. Unless you mean he hasn't been inconsistent, because he's been consistently inconsistent?
Don Freo
Guest
Although there are just as many haters of Maxi too...led by David Lord, of all the intellects to follow. If Maxi was playing and got a triple century, those same posters would say, "That's only the old enemy. Wait until they get to RSA." There are many that don't enjoy Australian cricket success yet will still find something to complain about. Rob, Ben, DonFreo, FonDreo...
Don Freo
Guest
If? They have been. Did you see the results?
Jeffrey Dun
Roar Rookie
JL has been coach of WA for 5 years. He may have provided advice, but it does not seem to have translated to much in the way of batting success at the test level. It seems to have taken Marsh, while recovering from his shoulder operation, to go back to his personal batting coach to reconstruct his technique to achieve the success he has achieved in this series.
PeteB
Guest
That’s a bit extreme. If he averages in the high 30s in SA I’ll be happy. The title of the article asks if they are here to stay. Based on their history there is still sufficient doubt. How good was Peter Handscomb last year, average of 99.75 and where is he now ?
Harrythetorch
Guest
Yawwwn, same tired old garbage from the haters
Harrythetorch
Guest
Completely agree
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Doesn't matter how old Philander is, he doesn't rely on pace anyway. He could play till 37 or so.
Graeme
Guest
PeteB - The good old tall poppy syndrome prevails, they bag the Marshes when they fail and still bag them when they succeed. Shaun has been unlucky and had disruptions most of his career with injuries. He either scores big or misses out totally but he is a very good batsman. Mitch has now shown the ability the selectors have seen that the keyboard commandos have not. He will be a huge factor for Australia in future series and has almost got the gorilla off his back. He now only has to deal with the monkey and replicate his 106.6 average for 1 to 2 more series to convince, that is very big of you.