Big brother’s form gives Marsh confidence
MITCH Marsh is using the resurgence of older brother Shaun as inspiration.
Mitch Marsh, 26, has been recalled to the Australian squad for the third Ashes Test in Perth next week.
The all-rounder is a strong chance to play at the WACA Ground, coming in after Shaun in the batting order at No.6 if given the nod over an out-of-sorts Peter Handscomb, who has scored 62 runs in four knocks.
The older Marsh returned to the side for the first Test, scoring a half-century in Brisbane before a unbeaten ton to be named man of the match in Adelaide.
Mitch Marsh said it was “always special playing for Australia with Shaun”.
“The one thing I learnt from Shaun is that he’s just solely focused on his own game now,” Mitch said.
“When you’re playing cricket for Australia there are a lot of distractions outside the inner sanctum but (Shaun) is just really concentrating right now and it’s great to see.”
Mitch Marsh has played 21 Tests, the last in India in March, with Shaun, when he made just 0 and 13 with the bat, leaving him with an average of 21.
He admitted his self-belief took a battering.
“I certainly lost a bit of confidence,” he said.
“But that’s all part of playing Test match cricket. You go through troughs. But right now I’m feeling really confident in my game.”
Marsh has impressed selectors with his recent form in the Sheffield Shield for West Australia – 402 runs at 44, including an innings of 141.
He is also ready to perform with the ball if needed after shoulder surgery.
“I’ve worked hard over the last eight months to get my body into a position where I’m now playing again as an all-rounder, so that’s really exciting,” he said.
“As long as I prepare well and do everything I can I know now that I’ll be able to do a job for Australia.”
Marsh acknowledged Victorian Glenn Maxwell was “unlucky” not be included ahead of him after scoring 590 Shield runs this season.
“If they wanted a spinning all-rounder he’d (Maxwell) probably be in,” he said.