Mitch’s dream is now his reality
MITCHELL Marsh has proven his stellar domestic form was no mirage, as he delivered his biggest performance in the biggest moment.
The decision to rush Marsh back so soon after returning from months on the sidelines with injury has polarised opinion, mainly for the fact it has forced the axing of Peter Handscomb.
However, yesterday was yet another emphatic endorsement for selectors whose instinct has played a telling role in this Ashes series.
Selector Mark Waugh said during the first Test in Brisbane, before Marsh had even made his return to bowling, that the West Australian allrounder was the “full package”.
Yesterday’s scintillating innings announced the longawaited coming of Australian cricket’s prodigal son.
Marsh’s quicker-than-expected return to Test cricket came on the back of some impressive domestic form, but no amount of one-day and Sheffield Shield hundreds could Band-Aid over a Test average of 21.
Acutely aware of the scale of abuse he cops on social media, Marsh has resolved to put his head down and not be bogged down by the pressure.
Yesterday Marsh silenced his critics in the most emphatic fashion possible.
Coming to the crease with Australia still more than 150 runs behind, Marsh settled quickly into his groove and without the nerves that have often plagued the start of his previous 35 Test innings.
Steve Smith said before the Test Marsh was one of the most powerful hitters of the ball he’d seen, if only he could soften his hands when required.
Marsh yesterday merged both of those skills into a seamless ensemble that eclipsed his previous high score of 87, way back in his second Test match against Pakistan in the UAE in 2014.
Since then Marsh had made just one other 50 until yesterday, in what had all the hallmarks of a Test rebirth.
So far this summer, every decision selectors have made has turned to gold – from Cameron Bancroft, to Tim Paine, to Shaun Marsh. Now there’s brother Mitchell. Handscomb was undoubtedly hard done by to be dropped, but Marsh has justified the faith shown in him.
Australian cricket’s great dream has been to have an allrounder at No.6 and Marsh has now given legitimate evidence to support that belief.