Mitchell Marsh’s continued spot in the Australian Test side has been all but solidified after he was revealed as a surprise vice captain for the Australian Test team today.
With Steve Smith and David Warner’s suspension still in effect, the national selection panel and Cricket Australia board today revealed the appointment of Marsh and injured bowler Josh Hazlewood as joint vice captains to Tim Paine for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan.
National selector Trevor Hohns congratulated the duo on their appointment in a press release, paying tribute to Hazlewood’s calmness and communication, as well as Marsh’s humility.
“Josh and Mitch display great leadership qualities, and we were extremely impressed by their passion and energy to help guide Australian cricket into this exciting new era.
“Our vision is to create great cricketers and great people, and we are extremely fortunate to have such terrific young men charged with [the] responsibility of upholding the high standards and values we and Australian cricket fans expect of their Test team,” he added.
Hohns did stress, however, the process that saw Hazelwood and Marsh selected was “not a process designed to find the next Australian Test Captain”.
On the decision to appoint two vice captains, Hohns said the decision was made due to the “demands of modern cricket”.
“We believe the new leadership model will best support the captain. It is a successful model used across various sporting codes around the world, and we see it benefiting the group not just from a tactical perspective but also to help drive the team’s values and standards on and off the field.
“We also feel the new model provides great balance. There is strong and even representation of both the batting and bowling groups, which is important when making decisions which are in the best interest of the team,” he said.
Hazlewood, 27, made his Test debut in 2014 against India at The Gabba, but had been around the ODI squad for four years prior. He’s taken 151 wickets in his 40 Tests – at a smart average of 26.84 – and has taken five or more wickets in an innings six times. His best performance, statistically, came in 2017, where he took 6/67 in a blistering performance at Bengaluru.
Marsh, 26, also made his Test debut in 2014, earning his baggy green against Pakistani in Dubai. The occasionally maligned all-rounder has been in and out of the Test side, averaging just under 28 with the bat and taking 33 wickets across 28 Tests. He was, however, a third Test hero in the last Ashes series, with his unbeaten 181 in Perth helping Australia wrap up a series win.
The first Test against Pakistan in the UAE will begin at 5pm (AEST) on Sunday, October 7.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
I am happy to do so if the reality is that this decision is make or break for Mitch's test career. He was in career best form in last years shield games prior to the Ashes series, had a great Ashes and started the SA series in the same vein. Mitch now needs to prove that he isn't a "one perfect summer" test batsman and reproduce that form. What better time to do so than during Smith and Warner's banishment?
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Given the reality that, apart from Paine, we cant drop the entire side from the South African series due to their ordinary returns, surely his Ashes series has him ahead of most, as far as remaining in the test side. I am not convinced that making Marsh a vice-captain is a good idea, and he needs to deliver consistent runs in tests or we can just dismiss his Ashes series as a one off against a less than impressive attack on good batting strips. He has had more than enough time to mature as a test player. If he cant deliver now, he simply doesn't deserve to be there. He should be on thin ice but i fear the VC secures his position as CA's golden child.
Akkara
Roar Rookie
Looks like the good drinking buddies got the job! Not sure about their leadership or smarts. I suppose that's the consequence of a popular vote process.
I no
Roar Rookie
And even if everyone else had a bad series its still 4 rubbish series witch is no good.
mrrexdog
Roar Guru
If Marsh was injured he shouldn’t have played
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
South African series batting averages for our players- Paine 43.00 Bancroft 37.17 Warner 36.17 Smith 23.67 Burns 23.00 (1 test) M Marsh 22.00 Hazlewood 21.00 Khawaja 20.63 S Marsh 18.38 Lyon 12.50 Handscomb 12.00 (1 test) Cummins 11.13 Starc 10.00 Renshaw 6.50 (1 test) Sayers didn't trouble the scorers in his 1 test. Apart from Tim Paine, who performed well, and the three suspended players, who performed from barely ok to poor, who wasn't terrible in South Africa. James' summary is pretty much on point.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Mitch had a great series with the bat against England (320 @ 106.67) but to be fair, only Bancroft and Handscomb didn't make plenty that series. The English bowling was ordinary apart from a couple of spells in five tests. Mitch is averaging 36 in tests since the start of 2017 and deserves to be in the test side, especially a side without Smith and Warner.
Big Daddy
Guest
You only have to look at selectors and admin and not be surprised. Peever, Howard, John's ,Chappell, Taylor , Langer. Enough said.
I no
Roar Rookie
Cricket australia have come out and said even though they have appointed these two as co captains that it doesn't necessarily mean one of them will be future captain.
I no
Roar Rookie
James i normally enjoy reading some of your comments but this one is complete bull???????? making some bad excuses.
JamesH
Roar Guru
He started well against SA but played injured after the first test. Besides, almost everyone was terrible in that series.
JamesH
Roar Guru
(a) It was a genuine question - not many people though Hazlewood was a prime candidate for the vice captaincy. I don't ever recall seeing Smith look to him for advice on-field. Having said that, I wasn't aware that his teammates had voted him into the role. They clearly know better than I do. (b) We really need to get over the Michael Clarke stigma. Having a flash car and a hot wife doesn't make someone a bad captain. Conversely, being a salt-of-the-earth bloke who likes a beer and a yarn doesn't make someone a good captain.
JamesH
Roar Guru
In his last seven tests he has two tons and a 90-odd. His returns have been as good as anyone else's. Stop living in 2015. Besides, making someone a leader just because they're one of your best players isn't a recipe for success. Look at what happened under Smith and Warner.
I no
Roar Rookie
Spot on mate 100% agree.
Maxwell Charlesworth
Roar Rookie
It doesn't matter if Marsh was earmarked for leadership. If he isn't up to test standard then he shouldn't be in the side. No matter if he captained WA for a few games here of there
abouttime
Guest
What have you seen or what do you know to suggest otherwise? An opening bowler in the professional era is a tactician by nature. His knowledge/bowling plans and game management in the field combined with some input from MM will no doubt assist Paine. As far as people management goes he has earned respect of his peers and players past and this will no doubt hold him in good stead to assist Paine. He’s the type of bloke to get the team together and get on with it. Nothing flashy about him. No fancy cars/houses/attention seeking wife. Just rips in and does it. Exactly what’s needed and what others need to follow. Enough said.
Peter
Roar Rookie
Yeah I'm of that frame of mind too.
Dutski
Roar Guru
I’ve been as critical as anyone of both Marsh brothers but let’s not death ride him or talk down this decision until we see how it goes. The team needs new leadership. Give them a chance. I for one am going into the series with high hopes and low expectations.
mrrexdog
Roar Guru
I hope Mitch does well, but given his record I’m not confident.
mrrexdog
Roar Guru
I’ve gone through the series averages for Mitch Marsh: Pakistan 2014: 41 India 2014: 32.66 England 2015: 12 New Zealand 2015: 13.80 West Indies 2015/16: 40 New Zealand 2016: 9 Sri Lanka 2016: 27.16 South Africa 2016: 13 India 2017: 12 England 2017/18: 106.66 South Africa 2018: 22 In summary: 3 good series with the with the bat 1 excellent series with the bat 2 mediocre series with the bat 5 rubbish series with the bat If he’d had a good series against South Africa I’d have would said that he’s finally come good, but unfortunately he hasn’t. After 86 fc games he has an average of 31.39 After 28 test has an average of 27.85 A decade ago you’d struggle to make the WA shield team off those numbers, but now he’s considered in the best 6 batsman in the country.