Mitch Marsh insists it’s too early to counsel he ought to maintain his spot in Australia’s Test crew after his sparking Ashes return, adamant he’s joyful being Cameron Green’s understudy.
Marsh was the star of day one at Headingley, retaining Australia within the Test with a counter-attacking 118 earlier than taking a late wicket with the ball.
It left England 3-68 in reply to Australia’s 263, with the sport firmly within the stability.
Stuck in Test exile for the previous 4 years, the 31-year-old’s recall solely got here after Green was dominated out of the third Test with a minor hamstring pressure.
Australia count on to have Green again out there for the subsequent Test at Old Trafford on July 19, however selectors should now ponder whether or not they need to retain Marsh.
Not that Marsh himself is satisfied.
“It’s probably a touch early for that (talk),” Marsh stated.
“My previous experience on long Test tours is you always get a chance at some stage.
“I simply needed to remain prepared and suppose I’m the primary man rating a Test hundred on a UK vacation.
“I wouldn’t mind going back to my UK holiday to be honest. Greeny can come back in. But we’ll see what happens.”
Australia confronted the same scenario when Usman Khawaja scored twin tons on return to the crew within the 2021-22 Ashes, whereas filling in for Travis Head who had COVID.
Selectors dropped Marcus Harris for the subsequent Test, permitting Khawaja to remain within the crew and Head to return.
An analogous resolution shouldn’t be really easy in Australia’s present crew, with Marsh and Green seemingly vying for one spot.
Marsh’s personal brother Shaun was sufferer to the identical sort of squeeze in 2015, dropped after scoring 182 towards West Indies to make manner for a fit-again Khawaja.
Regardless Marsh stated he had no situation being a back-up for Green, who’s seen because the nation’s long-term allrounder.
“I’ve been a part of a lot of squads over the last couple of years,” Marsh stated.
“Understanding my role with Greenie coming on the scene and the amazing talent that he is, I know my role in this team.
“And I do know that as an allrounder for him enjoying all three codecs and being within the IPL now, there’s going to be instances the place he wants a break.
“So I knew that at some stage an opportunity would come. I’ve loved working with Greenie. He’s a special talent.”
Marsh additionally scored Thursday’s runs with out his household there, after his father and former Test opening batter Geoff left a tour group in England to fly to Bali for Shaun’s fortieth birthday.
Geoff Marsh was within the air when his youngest son came upon he was enjoying, earlier than the household posted a video of their celebrating Mitch’s century on Thursday.
“I don’t think dad was missing the 40th, that’s much more exciting,” Marsh quipped.
“All my family and all of our close friends are celebrating there with Shaun so whilst they weren’t here the video is bloody great.
“It’s Shaun’s fortieth in a couple of days, so let’s hope he will get to 40.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
