Marsh a changed man

Recalled all-rounder cocks a snook at social media trolls THIRD TEST

MITCH Marsh returns to international cricket a more obstinate operator with bat, ball and smartphone.

The 2015 Ashes was a changing of the guard in Australian cricket, when Shane Watson handed the baton on to Marsh.

Marsh became the nation’s No.1 all-rounder when Watson was ushered into Test retirement by national selectors. immense potential into immaculate performance.

Marsh remains a much maligned figure as he awaits an expected recall for the third Ashes Test, which starts tomorrow in Perth. “I went through a stage where I read everything, Facebook comments and all that sort of stuff,” Marsh said yesterday.

“At the time, it made me feel pretty s---, to be honest.

“I find them quite funny now and I actually think it’s great that the Australian pub- lic can be so passionate about sport. People are entitled to their opinion, so it’s all good . . . I just let it go. I just stopped caring, really.”

He stopped reading “everything” eight months ago, about the time he returned home from a Test tour of India for a shoulder reconstruction.

He has since been appointed captain of Western Australia and found form with the bat, including a century in his most recent Sheffield Shield outing at the WACA ground.

WA coach Justin Langer believes captaincy has made Marsh a better batsman. Marsh agrees.

“When you go out to play and you’ve got to worry about 10 other guys and getting the best out of the team, it takes a lot of the heat off yourself and that’s really helped me,” said Marsh, 26.

“The added responsibility of making sure that I’m leading from the front on the field has really helped.”