MITCH STATS DIDN’T ADD UP TO SPOT IN THE TEAM
AUSTRALIAN skipper Tim Paine concedes Peter Handscomb surged into Australia’s first Test line-up as Mitch Marsh’s numbers didn’t stack up.
Coach Justin Langer had confirmed that Marcus Harris would open with Aaron Finch but the axing of all-rounder Marsh was a statement about Australia’s weak spot entering the series opener against India.
Marsh has one score exceeding 16 in his last 11 innings, which he acknowledged put’ question marks’ on his spot. The allrounder’s 320 Ashes runs at 106 seem a distant memory after averaging 7.5 and 22 in series against Pakistan and South Africa and attracted searing criticism from greats including Geoff Lawson.
“Mitch Marsh probably hasn’t been as consistent as he would like and we would like,” said Paine. “We know the talent that Mitch Marsh has and most likely this series we will need him.
“We are taking the opportunity to send him back to play a Shield game and get some cricket under his belt.”
Handscomb’s selection indicates Australian batting concern by sacrificing the insurance it prefers for pace trio Mitch Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.
However Paine said Nathan Lyon’s durability and matchwinning record at Adelaide, combined with a fresh attack on a pitch with juice, made Handscomb’s inclusion a calculated gamble.