Allrounder Mitch Marsh has recovered from illness and is in Australia’s selection frame for Tuesday’s one-dayer against India in Adelaide.
Marsh was hospitalised with gastritis and missed Australia’s 34-run win against the Indians in Saturday’s series-opener Sydney.
Vice-captain Alex Carey says Marsh is pressing his claims to play in Tuesday’s game two as Australia eye a first ODI series win in two years.
“Mitch is good… he’s back fully fit and ready to go,” Carey told reporters on Monday.
“He is going to have a bowl today and he will have a hit, so we will see how he pulls up.”
But forecast temperatures of 42 degrees in Adelaide on Tuesday might prompt selectors to proceed with caution on Marsh and keep him sidelined.
Giving the allrounder more time to recover would also mean selectors could postpone any batting order reshuffle involving the much-debated Glenn Maxwell.
Maxwell faced just five balls in Australia’s 34-run win in Sydney batting at No.7, a spot some commentators branded as a waste of the Victorian’s talents.
“To have Glenn Maxwell sitting in the sheds ready to go with two, three overs to go, I think that’s a pretty powerful position for our cricket side to be in,” Carey said.
“He has had lots of opportunities up the top of the order before … you could argue the point he should be batting higher.
“Personally … it’s pretty exciting to have that power hitting later in the innings. He doesn’t need too many balls to make a big impact.”
Carey also forecast captain Aaron Finch would soon rediscover his best touch after a lean international summer – he was dropped from the Test series against India after making 97 runs at an average of 16.16.
Finch made just six runs in Australia’s ODI triumph in Sydney.
“Finchy is a really proud Australian cricketer and he wants to bounce back and he wants to score big runs for us,” Carey said.
“The work he’s doing off the field, he’s so close to really nailing a match-winning innings.
“His leadership has been fantastic around the group.
“Having a guy that has made 11 ODI hundreds around our group and an experienced head out … he has been amazing off the field.”
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
They actually scored 290. You need to watch.
KenoathCarnt
Roar Rookie
Because Siddle is useless and Agar gives you a better option in the middle overs as well as batting depth.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Why change a winning team ??
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Mitch Marsh in the mix?? No runs, no wickets, no form and why would you change a winning team? Put him out of the squad altogether.
Rob JM
Guest
He's the ideal no7. Decent bowler and hits big. Maxi and stoinis are only at 6th option levels.
AREH
Roar Guru
There's little need for hysteria like his test selection, as this is more justified. His ODI record is solid, and I think he looms as an asset at 7 or 8 with an ability to hit hard from ball one. I wouldn't bat him any higher, though.
Rob JM
Guest
I think Maxwell at 6 and Marsh at 7 is our best line up. The Ashtons, Turner and Agar should also be in the all rounders discussion. I think Agar at 8 is our best spin and batting option. I’m not 100% sure Carey is the best keeping option in regards to batting but I dont want to give up his glovework.
Ben
Roar Rookie
Australia were chasing 320 against sa and lost by 40 runs. Lynn 0, finch 11/15, marsh 106/102, head 6/21, stoinis 63/76, Carey 42/41 then Maxwell at 7 35/27 when the runs rate was over 10 a over. We lost the game as we had no one striking over 100. Maxwell has to bat no lower than 4/5.
Ben
Roar Rookie
I have no issue with m marsh in the odi team as long as he is scoring runs. He didn’t have a good start to the bbl. Would you replace him with stoinis?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
It takes no effort to roll the silly ones. Won't be any burn out there. I wonder why it concerns you so much Mitcher. Any cricket comments to make or do you just chase people in the hope of impressing anon and Ben? I had you as beyond that. Just goes to show...
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
Sure bring Mitch back. We must be getting tired of winning.
Rob
Guest
You’re wasting your time trying to explain it to Donald. He still believes 250 is a good score and the Marsh boys are Test batsmen.
Paul
Roar Guru
Australia got away with one last game where our 5th bowling option (either Stoinis or Siddle/Maxwell), went for 66 off 10. We need to get this sorted out,otherwise the Indians will take us for more than that and MM is worth a try,assuming he's fully fit. The problem is, who do you leave out?
Mitcher
Guest
Have a spell Donny. You’re going to burn yourself out.
anon
Roar Pro
Marsh and Khawaja chewed up 150 deliveries scoring at a strike rate of 75 (would give you 225 if you had a team of Marsh's). Stoinis was only just over a run a ball despite coming in with 10 overs to go and having Maxwell behind. Stoinis chewed up something absurd like 3 overs worth of dot balls. They didn't do the job. They left a good 30-40 runs on the table. India chase down 290 7 out of 10 times and would have piled on 350 more often than not batting first. Maxwell is definitely better ODI batsman than Marsh (averages 40 but 80 strike rate which is no good), Khawaja, Carey, Stoinis, probably surpassed Finch, better than Handscomb and it goes on. Got to be a little daft to only let Maxi face 5 out of 300 deliveries. It would be like Kohli only getting a bat for the last couple of overs. Very stupid of Langer to allow that to happen.
Ben
Roar Rookie
India know better than finch how valuable Maxwell is and were happy he didn’t come in earlier last game and hope the same this game. Is Carey thinking we are playing t20? 3 overs in a 50 over game is nothing. He should focus on his own batting as he played a stupid shot to get out and deserves to bat at 7 or even get replaced by handscomb who is much better batsmen.
Big Daddy
Guest
But a match winning innings. For which side. Or he's also bowling with a bit of pace ( again in the nets ). Adelaide would suit him . Flat deck and short boundaries.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Or maybe, unlike you, they think.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
It's not that simple at all. There was no problem at all with the Australian batsmen keeping their wickets intact while scoring at almost a run a ball. Just because Maxi didn't get a chance doesn't mean the others failed. If Maxi never bats, Australia has done well.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Tedious. You only advertise your lack of understanding of cricket when you criticize in cliches.