Questions are mounting over Mitchell Marsh’s place in Australia’s Test side after the Australian all-rounder was dismissed for no runs off four deliveries on Sunday at the MCG.
It compounds what’s been a disappointing series for the Western Australia batter, who has scored 73 runs throughout the entire series.
His second innings score was the fifth single-digit score he has made this series.
It came after the 33-year-old Test veteran had hurt his back after the opening Test with Pat Cummins opting not to limit his overs since.
He had insisted he had recovered from that injury prior to the Adelaide Test.
Despite that, his batting struggles have placed some doubt over his place in the side, ahead of next week’s huge final Test in Sydney.
‘It’s been an unhappy series for him,’ Alison Mitchell told Channel 7.
Journalist Peter Lalor added: ‘There’s a few questions to be asked.
Questions are mounting over Mitchell Marsh’s Test credentials, after he was dismissed for no runs on Sunday
Pat Cummins’ side lead by 333 runs in the fourth Test heading into the final day
Marsh has claimed 73 runs over the entirety of the Border-Gavaskar series and has been dismissed for a single figure score on five occasions
‘He’s not scoring runs. He’s not bowling much – he’s not bowling fast.
‘There’s a lot of strain on the lead seamers, we see Mitchell Starc carrying a niggle. You’re going to want more from your all-rounder in Sydney. Can Australia take (Marsh) to Sydney and play him? Should they?’
Marsh had taken three wickets in the opening Test in Perth, and despite bowling limited overs, he is yet to secure another dismissal.
Ex-Aussie cricketer Mark Waugh added that it might be time for selectors to drop Marsh and draft in Beau Webster.
‘There will be (a debate), depending on the conditions and the balance of the team. Beau Webster’s in the squad, (Marsh has made) no runs in this game,’ Waugh said on Fox Cricket.
‘In theory, you could bat Alex Carey at six, have Beau Webster at seven, that could be an option as well.
‘(Webster) is a batting all-rounder, but he will bowl more overs, plus he can bowl off-spin and seam.
‘That will be a discussion point depending on what happens in the next two days here, the fitness of Mitchell Starc for example.’
Marsh had been struggling with a back injury leading into the Adelaide Test and has been deployed intermittently with the ball in hand
Pete Lalor claimed that Marsh would not get into his squad for the Sydney Test next week
But some have disagreed, with ex-Aussie coach Justin Langer claiming the Test side should not drop Marsh for the final Test, revealing what he should do to turn his form around.
‘Yes, I would pick him in Sydney,’ Langer told on Channel 7.
‘He said when he won last year’s AB Medal, his words were, I’m a bit fat and I like a beer. That’s how I want to see him play cricket with a smile on his face.
‘I don’t like the chopping and changing of Test teams. In that instance, it will be another change to the Test team. I don’t think it will be a positive one. I think he should play in Sydney.
‘If I was Pat Cummins, his mate and his captain, if I was the head coach or the selectors I’d be saying: “Mitch it’s a big game for us. Get in with your mates. Play with that carefree attitude and show us what you’ve got”.’
Marsh stormed away to winning last year’s Allan Border Medal, receiving 79 votes after a stellar year that saw him score 1,672 at 40.78.
But some on social media have questioned whether Marsh should be included in the squad for the Sydney Test.
‘This guy…. man, how he gets selected is beyond my imagination,’ one wrote. ‘He’s done and dusted enough chances has been given to him over the decade. Whether it’s TESTS or ODIS.
Some fans took to X to claim that Marsh should not be included in the squad to play in Sydney
‘Another surprising candidate who somehow selectors love to carry the burden of is Stoinis.’
‘Bring in Beau Webster for Sydney,’ another X user said.
‘Biggest liability in this squad, no idea why he gets selected yet,’ another added.
Another added: ‘Surely Marsh needs to be dropped now. But important thought: has he played his last test with Webster on the bench and Green coming back soon?’
