Shrouded by a cloud of angst, the Australian camp have given signals they’re ready to hit the panic button.
But the thought process behind the word spreading on considering Mitchell Marsh in the playing XI has raised plenty of eyebrows. While the Australian think tank opted against recalling the all-rounder, it is still tempting to think whether it was the gamble they otherwise needed to take.
Given how influential the left-handers have turned out for the new-ball bowlers of the hosts, the baggy green decided to swing the axe on Usman Khawaja – and understandably so given the elegant left-hander hasn’t stepped up to the task in times of adversity. Khawaja’s highest score in the current series came at Edgbaston in the second innings, striking a breezy 40 to cut down the 90-run deficit.
Nonetheless, the selectors haven’t inserted an extra right-handed batsman in the squad other than the apparent inclusion of Steve Smith. This leaves the two right-handers at the top – Marnus Labushagne and Smith – with the potential task of steering the ship considering the irregularity of the other batsmen remaining in flamboyant touch. Marsh did make a compelling case, displaying his criticality in the warm-up game against Derbyshire.
It wasn’t going to be that easy of a selection. Sure, the younger of the Marsh brothers made a persuasive case, mustering 74 runs and bagging four wickets in the game. Amid that, in the international arena, the going hasn’t been prosperous with either of the Marshes. While coach Justin Langer acclaimed his fitness level and his ability to get the ball swinging, he also stated that Marsh needed to convert his 70s into triple figures. That could have been the ticket for the 27-year-old to the Old Trafford in the playing XI.
To say fitting an extra right-handed batsman in the XI is the only rationale for throwing Marsh into the mix would be partial. Unlike England, who are privileged to have Ben Stokes as a specialist fifth bowling option, the tourists lack in that department. And Ben Stokes not only represented the beast in him by pulling off a heist with the bat, but he also bowled his heart out when Jofra Archer had left the field momentarily.
Having said that, Mitchell Marsh doesn’t come close to becoming Stokes’s contemporary. Sure, any combination of the Aussie pace attack is enough to rattle the English batsmen. However, in Leeds, where the Australian pace trio had over bowled, a bonafide fifth bowler may have done the trick for them.
The fourth Test has begun on a relatively dominant note for the Aussies, albeit after their openers failed for the seventh successive time in the series. Despite carrying the potential to reach a formidable first-innings score, Australia could need an extra bowling alternative to put the Englishmen on the ropes. That gamble, though, counted for all or nothing.
ken gargett
Guest
with the greatest respect to the author, how much did you have to drink to come up with the question?
Nick
Roar Guru
No. If only the brexit referendum result was this clear.
Zenn
Roar Rookie
MM is a reverse Keith Miller 23 bowling, 37 batting
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@Smudge I'm confused - this has got to be a joke article - right? But it's very short on satire - maybe just a wonderfully dry comedy? It's got 1 punch line though. Every time someone mentions M March and Test Cricket in the same sentence I burst out laughing :)
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Agreed. I really don’t think Neser was ever considered for a test spot but he should have been. Pattinson should have been given the new cherry to really see if he was deserving of a spot ahead of the 3 NSW blokes.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I’d be happy never again to speak of MM wrt a test spot Don. I’d always hoped he could be as good as his best days but it never worked out. People writing articles constantly to flag a way to get him back is annoying. I love him in white ball cricket btw. So much a better option than Stoinis
AREH
Roar Guru
I get the fifth bowler argument, I get the flexibility/holding for Starc in case he’s spraying it etc..but in the top six? Just not this guy. Furthermore, a number six like M.Marsh with his test record to date MIGHT be someone you could get away with if you had a rock solid top order, and a keeper at seven who could make the XI as a bat alone (ie. de Kock) but Australia don’t particularly have either of those.
Akitas
Roar Rookie
Why would this dud even be considered ? How many times does he need to show us he is not up to the standard required ?
Boo-urns
Roar Rookie
Neser might be more threatening than what Pattinson was serving up last test.
Simoc
Guest
I think the No s have it. To me M Marsh is best suited to ODIs and he wasn't picked there. The current team with UK at 12 would be the best 12 players we have available. In England Neser looks the better medium fast allrounder choice but we don't need one.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Not much evidence here that anyone is doing that. You guys will complain about him even when he doesn't play.
U
Roar Rookie
I seriously think he’s got leadership potential in limited overs cricket. But tests no
anon
Roar Pro
Mitch Marsh is a 25 average batsman, 44 average bowler. Crap batsman, crap bowler.
Zenn
Roar Rookie
What did Chappelli say about selecting 2 WKs? Mitch Marsh selected? No
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Chappell also says that if 5 batters can't do it, 6 won't. Also correct. He took an each-way bet there. :)
Adam
Roar Guru
No
Boo-urns
Roar Rookie
Short answer, yes with an if: long answer no, with a but.
Paul
Roar Guru
I just hit enter a few times DP. No cut and paste
Spanner
Roar Rookie
No thank you (is there a Roarer who doesnt agree with the multitude ?)
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
No, never. 31 tests too many.