Captain hints that Marsh will get the nod
Mitch Marsh has firmed to make his Test comeback after Australian captain Steve Smith indicated selectors were leaning towards picking the all-rounder at the WACA today.
Smith declined to name an Australian XI when giving his final press conference before the third Test as selectors wrestle with the decision to choose between under-fire batsman Peter Handscomb and all-rounder Marsh.
Handscomb is averaging just 20 through three innings this series, with a top score of 36, but still boasts a Test average of 47 through 12 Tests.
Despite Handscomb’s struggles against Jimmy Anderson and Chris Woakes in Adelaide, Smith insists any change made to the team would not be because of recent batting slumps.
“If we do go down that route it’s purely for the reasons we think we need an extra bowler on this wicket – nothing to do with anyone’s batting,” Smith said.
“The stats suggest over the past couple of years that bowlers have had a pretty heavy workload out on this wicket. We’re probably leaning down that way at the moment.
“It will depend on what we think the wicket’s like tomorrow and if it is going to be hard and fast and bouncy, that might change our thinking.”
Marsh has roared back into favour on the back of impressive form in the Sheffield Shield, racking up a powerful 141 against Queensland and a 95 against South Australia in Perth.
The maligned 26-year-old has a modest Test record, averaging just 21.74, but Smith has seen signs in his recent batting to suggest he’s a changed player from the one who has registered just two half-centuries in 35 Test innings.
“He’s tightened up his defence quite a lot,” Smith said.
“I know speaking to him when he was back in the team a little while ago, we spoke about softening your hands up in defence and those good length balls – not going so hard at them.
“I’ve seen that watching him the last couple of days in the nets and watching some of the live feed of the Shield games, that in defence he has actually softened his hands up.
“He’s still putting away the bad ball. He hits the ball as hard as anyone I’ve ever seen.”