Marsh prefers No. 3 spot to bat

Willing to adapt at upcoming T20 World Cup

Australian batter Mitchell Marsh thinks if he is called upon at the World Cup, it will be to bat at number 3, a position he has had great success in during the last two tours.

With Steve Smith unavailable during the last two series against West Indies and Bangladesh, the all-rounder batted at the allimportant one-drop position. But with Smith’s return to the side, it remains to be seen where Marsh would fit in the playing XI.

“Look, I’ve said a number of times now over the last few months that whatever role I’m given in the team, I’ll do it to the best of my ability. Whether it’s at three or as a floater in the middle-order, we’ll have to wait and see,” Marsh has told ICC website.

“I dare say that if I play in this tournament, I’ll be listed at No. 3. But I think the beauty of our squad is that from three to six or even seven, all of us can float. It will just be a matter of game situation and who we think is best to go in next. So, I think I’ll be at the top, but it’s about being adaptable and being able to float with the guys that we’ve got coming after me.”

Marsh totalled 219 runs against the West Indies and followed that up with 156 runs in Bangladesh. What has impressed many was how he tackled the spinners in Bangladesh where he looked comfortable facing the slow bowlers.

“I’ve worked really hard on my game against spin,” he said. “Probably more so around the rotation of strike and making sure I’m getting off strike through those middle overs in white-ball cricket.”

“I just asked him (Zampa), where he would bowl to me to try and stop me from scoring,” he continued. “If I could try and nullify the bowlers from doing that and get the game a bit more on my terms when playing against spin, it becomes a little bit easier, you get more boundary options.”

Australia, who is yet to get their hands on the T20 World Cup Trophy—the only cup missing from their cupboards—is grouped with England, South Africa, defending champions West Indies and the winner and runner-up from qualifying rounds A and B respectively.

They will open their campaign against South Africa on October 23.