It was a day of mixed news for the Marsh brothers and other members of the Test squad as the jostle for spots intensified in an intriguing day of Sheffield Shield action.
Mitch Marsh missed out on some much-needed time in the middle when he was dismissed for just six in WA’s Sheffield Shield clash with NSW at Optus Stadium.
The WA skipper scored 151 against Queensland earlier this month, but it’s been the only time he’s passed 50 in his past nine knocks.
It was much better news for his brother Shaun, who scored a gutsy 81 off 193 balls on a tricky deck.
Shaun has been in hot form since returning from the Test series against Pakistan, posting scores of 80, 98, 21, 163no, and 81 for WA.
The Marsh brothers are a lock to play in the first Test against India, starting on December 6 in Adelaide.
But Marcus Harris and Peter Handscomb are in a scrap to secure a berth.
Harris made up for his first-innings flop by scoring 62 off 80 balls in Victoria’s second innings in their Shield clash with Queensland at the Gabba.
The 26-year-old scored just two in the first dig, but cracked 10 fours in his 80-ball dig in the second innings.
His Victorian teammate Handscomb boosted his chances of a Test recall with another solid knock.
Handscomb scored 81 in the first innings, and followed it up with 53 off 81 balls in the second dig.
Aaron Finch, who scored 50 in the first innings, didn’t fare as well in his second knock, dismissed for just one.
Finch is set to open for Australia, but was controversially denied the chance to do the same for Victoria after coach Andrew McDonald opted to keep Travis Dean as opener.
The move didn’t pay off, with Dean dismissed for a duck in both innings.
Victorian Peter Siddle took 4-62 to help bowl Queensland out for 271, while fellow Test squad member Chris Tremain finished with 2-58.
Travis Head scored a team-high 49 for South Australia against Tasmania at Blundstone Arena on Wednesday, with the knock significant given the tricky conditions.
South Australia could only manage 136 in reply to Tasmania’s 185.
John
Guest
Mitch Marsh shouldn't be in the 11 for the first test. He is not in Australia's best 6 batsmen and his average of 26 is not good enough.
Kopa Shamsu
Guest
Lol, he was left out so he didn't have to face South African bowling attack. One score & he would have returned to selection table. It was very unlikely he could have got that score again saffas.
anon
Roar Pro
Yes, get some cheap runs playing for WA. Just score a half century or better and he'd be considered "in form" again. Mitch Marsh never EARNED his initial selection into the national side, never EARNED his continual inclusion in the national side, never EARNED his vice captaincy.
mrrexdog
Roar Guru
He was left out of the white ball teams so he could play Sheffield Shield
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You still think Langer made that choice? Can you explain, then why Langer excluded Mitch from white ball cricket? You are all over the place.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Just before the toss. You can take it for certain that Siddle and Tremain will miss. They will just be deciding between Handscomb and Head with Head more likely. It's not hard to know if you follow it all.
George
Guest
And quite thick.
Ouch
Roar Rookie
It's West Australian thinking.
Gus O
Guest
Ah, the dilemma of Shaun Marsh... impossible not to pick him on current form, and who is in better form right at the moment? But how many opportunities can a bloke be given? The selectors just dont have a better option... Ah, the dilemma of Mitch Marsh... so much promise, so valuable to have an all rounder who can give the quicks a break and pick up a couple of wickets each test... and... good grief... given so many opportunities for such unreliable returns with the bat. The proof will be in the eating, if they cannot perform this home summer their time will surely be up. Remember when we had a queue of heavy scoring, capable batsmen getting it done at Shield level... when there was no place to squeeze Hayden, Law, Hodge, Katich and so many other world class batters into the Australian top order... I wonder how good Chris Lynn could be as a test batter if T20 didnt pay so well and test cricket really was still the highest ambition?
anon
Roar Pro
Langer made Mitch Marsh vice-captain precisely so he couldn't be dropped. To make a guy with a 26 average with the bat and 42 average with the ball vice captain is nepotistic, and utterly insane.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Australia will still win the series
john goerge
Guest
Don, The question is not a blame one. And no not blaming mr marsh. I am saying there is no batting besides S Marsh, Uzzy, Harris and Handscombe. We will not make 400 this test series. Maybe not even 300 on this batting lineup. Paine is a shadow of his former self. To see what I mean check out "Silent Mite" the King of Queens episode that explains the batting predicament to you simply. When is the test XI actually announced? Do you know at all? Thnks
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
And you'd blame Marsh for the other 6 wickets?
john goerge
Guest
So so true Paul He will play in all 6 tests this summer even if he is out for a golden duck each time. Australian fans are over his poor form and he is costing us test match wins. Burns would make more runs @ number 6 guaranteed. 4 out all out for AUS this summer.
Paul
Roar Guru
The problem with MM is HOW he's getting out, shuffling across the crease and getting hit on the pads. He's out of touch, needs to stay in Shield cricket but he's already been chosen as VC by Langer so has to play. Such a poor decision.