Following his exclusion from Australia’s Test cricket lineup during the Border-Gavaskar Series against India earlier this year, speculation persists about Mitchell Marsh’s potential return to Pat Cummins’ squad ahead of the upcoming Ashes Series.
Despite his struggles to score runs in India, which led to his omission for the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the 2023 Allan Border Medallist remains a topic of discussion.
Marsh, now 33, was absent from Australia’s tours to Sri Lanka and the West Indies. However, he has continued to shine in limited-overs cricket, most notably steering his team to a seven-wicket triumph over India in Perth last Sunday.
The West Australian talent is poised to play a significant role with the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League, having committed to the team for another two years earlier this year.
Nonetheless, after scoring a century and an 85 in separate T20 International matches against New Zealand, as well as a century and an 88 in a recent ODI series against South Africa, debates are growing over whether Marsh should be reintegrated into the Test team.
A recall might seem improbable, and Marsh himself appears to concur with that sentiment.
Mitchell Marsh (pictured) has delivered a hilariously honest response to whether he would return to play Test cricket this summer
The Australian allrounder claimed that he intends to be ‘six beers deep’ by lunchtime on the first day of the first Test against England, but left the door open for selection
‘I’ve got tickets to day one and two. Haven’t asked the wife yet, so that’s about as much thought as I’ve given it,’ he said, jokingly to reporters earlier in the week.
And on Sunday, he was pressed again about whether he could return to feature for Australia against England in Perth on November 21.
One ABC reporter asked Marsh if he knew if there were better ways to get tickets for the match, than buying them, to which the allrounder responded: ‘I’m going to be six beers deep by lunch on day one, mate.’
However, a lot of people will be looking at Marsh’s form during this series against India with intrigue.
Pressed on if he would consider a return if he hit another century with the ODI squad, Marsh said: ‘Oh, I would never say no to playing Test cricket again… not at this stage again.’
Marsh, who turns 34 on Monday, plans to spend the morning of his birthday with his partner Alyssa Healy and their family, before heading out to Adelaide for the next ODI.
For Marsh, a keen fisherman and surfer, performing at his best is more about the preparation and ensuring he is in the right frame of mind to play.
‘For me, the enjoyment comes in our preparation and making sure that we’re as well prepared as we possibly can so we can go out in the field and just compete as a team,’ he explained.
Marsh has been performing very well for Australia’s short format sides in recent months, and is set to return to play for the Perth Scorchers later this summer in the Big Bash League
On Sunday, Marsh led his side to victory against India in the opening match of their ODI series Down Under, scoring an unbeaten 56
Having spent some time away from the theatre of Test cricket this year, he has had more time to enjoy his life away from the cricket field which perhaps has spurred him into an excellent vein of form.
‘I think it’s really important (for us to remember) that we are lucky to do what we do, so let’s experience everything that cricket has to offer us, and that is doing lots of fun stuff off the field,’ Marsh said.
‘I love my fishing, getting out for a fish, or surfing. Other boys like getting out and playing golf, and I guess (it is about) trying to bring as much normality as we can to what is a pretty abnormal life that we live.
‘I want the boys to enjoy playing cricket for Australia. I want it to be the funnest time in their life, and hopefully we can keep winning on the way.’
While Marsh, 33, has returned to produce some big scores in Australia’s limited the allrounder has since failed to regain a spot in the squad.
