All- round setback as Marsh in doubt

AUSTRALIA face the prospect of losing arguably their form player for the third Test against South Africa, with Mitch Marsh nursing a groin strain.

Port Elizabeth proved an unhappy hunting ground for Marsh, who also endured a gastro bug and code- of- conduct charge for swearing at Kagiso Rabada after the paceman bowled him on Monday.

Marsh was fined 20 per cent of his match fee and given one demerit point for “using language or gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting”. But it is the groin injury that will leave the West Australian racing the clock to prove his fitness for the clash that starts on Thursday week in Cape Town. Marsh’s setback is minor but an obvious concern for the tourists, who suffered a six- wicket loss in the second Test.

Peter Handscomb is the reserve batsman in the squad but selectors may opt to summon a like- for- like cover player for Marsh, such as Marcus Stoinis.

Marsh’s knock of 96 in the first Test set the platform for Australia’s 118- run win, while his resistance late on day three of the second Test helped give Australia some hope of setting a more imposing target than their eventual 101.

The 26- year- old has become Australia’s middle- order rock since his Ashes recall, with David Warner the only Australian to have scored more runs than him in the current series. Marsh has also picked up three clutch wickets.

“He’s got a bit of a groin strain, so he was struggling to move a little bit,” Steve Smith said.

“It’s a good break between now and the next Test match and he’s telling me he’ll be fine, but we’ll wait and see how things go.”

Smith suggested star pacemen Mitchell Starc, Josh Ha- zlewood and Pat Cummins were all in good shape and should be fit for the third Test.

“All the quicks are going really well. I haven’t heard ( otherwise) today, but before today they were all feeling fine,” he said.

Marsh was initially stationed at first slip on day four of the clash at St George’s Park, the first pointer that all was not right.

He put down a simple catch when South Africa were 0- 7.