Mitch Marsh is a member of Australia’s Ashes squad, and there’s talk of him being picked for the fourth Test starting on Wednesday in Manchester.
Marsh shouldn’t play the next Test, and in fact, he shouldn’t even be in the squad.
After 31 Tests, Marsh has a batting average 25. His batting isn’t up to Test match standard.
But despite his constant failures at Test level, Marsh has a decent white-ball record. In the ODI format, he averages 35 with both bat and ball. In the Twenty20 arena, Marsh averages 30 with the bat and 27 with the ball.
(AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)
Unfortunately, the constant push to make Marsh a Test player has limited his white-ball opportunities. He was left out of Australia’s limited-overs sides in November last year in order to play in the Sheffield Shield.
Earlier this year, Marsh signed up to play for Glamorgan in the English Twenty20 Blast, but he was selected in the Ashes squad, which made him unavailable for that competition.
Since making his Twenty20 International debut in 2011, Marsh has played just 11 matches for the Australian T20 national team. Playing a season of Twenty20 cricket in England would’ve helped Marsh push for a spot in that Australian side.
So while players such as D’Arcy Short, Alex Carey, James Faulkner, Peter Handscomb and Dan Christian have been playing Twenty20 cricket and pushing for international selection, Marsh has been running drinks for the Test side.
If the Australian selectors stopped trying make Mitch Marsh a Test player and allowed to focus on limited-overs cricket, he could be a valuable asset to the Australian team.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
I hate the word potential when it comes to selections. Shane Watson kept getting referenced as having potential, he had 50+ tests to show it and I dont think ever did what selectors wanted from him.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
Australia need to forget this obsession with an all rounder. They went without through their dominant period in the 90s and just had 4 bowlers. Australia dont have a Stokes or a Flintoff, nothing even close so give it up. No need to put in a player like Marsh who is below average with both bat and ball.
KenoathCarnt
Roar Rookie
Future ODI squad looks be stronger then the WC with something like this. Khawaja Warner C.Ferguson Smith Carey(wk) Maxwell M.Marsh Cummins Starc J.Richardson Lyon
AREH
Roar Guru
And I think it's because he is under 30 that he is viewed by the hierarchy as someone with red ball potential still unfulfilled. While that may be the case, until he can turn his promise into strong returns at Shield level for an extended period, any selections will remain undeserved. I think most on here agree that because his ODI record is quite respectable, his best chance of forging a consistent International career is in the shorter forms.
Tom
Guest
Alternatively, actually leave him in the shield for a full season or 2 and stop taking him out every time he gets a 5 or a 2fer
Jeff
Roar Rookie
More correct to say FC in Eng, rather than county cricket. But yes it was horrendous and built on the back of a horrendous back half to the Shield season Recent first: 18, 0, 19, 9, 133, 0*,10 (UK) / 31, 3, 11, 0, 28, 0, 60, 80 (AUS)
Tom
Guest
Uh what? He didn't even end up playing a match for Lancashire. He went home with chronic fatigue before the season started.
Davo
Guest
Joe Burns barely played County Cricket due to illness, and hit a ton for Australia A on his return. His omission appears even more glaring given the success of Broad and Archer against our left handers this series.
Rob
Guest
I think M. Marsh should have been in the WC before Stonis purely on the fact is a proven better bowler and batsmen in the ODI arena. As for Test match selection I think Australia are better suited with Labuschange (spin)or Pattinson (pace)depending on the surface. Cummins, Siddle, Starc can all provide enough resistance in the tail to not warrant the bits and pieces all rounder IMO.
Damo
Guest
Joe Burns was in horrendous form in county cricket when they picked the squad. You just couldn't pick him. Wish people would let it go.
anon
Roar Pro
I'll be cheering on the poms if Langer goes with the golden child that turns 28 next month and is still being picked on potential after 31 Tests. What's Joe Burns thinking? 4 hundreds in 16 Tests and can't even make the squad let alone get picked in the best 11. Starc is a better all rounder than Mitch Marsh for crying out loud.