Ashes 2017: Mitchell Marsh scores maiden Test century to vindicate selectors’ instinct

MITCHELL Marsh’s brilliant performance at the WACA has sent England a sobering message about the benefits of candid self-analysis.

A jubilant Mitchell Marsh celebrates his first Test century at the WACA Ground on Saturday.

UPDATE: MITCHELL Marsh’s brilliant performance at the WACA has sent England a sobering message about the benefits of candid self-analysis.

Five years ago Marsh’s career was at a crossroads as he slumped from one off-field misdemeanor to the next.

Celebrations for his 21st birthday in South Africa in 2012 prompted disciplinary action, while Marsh was also sent home from the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane for a string of unprofessional incidents.

However, Cricket Australia and Western Australia came down on the young all-rounder like a ton of bricks and are now reaping the benefits of a mature star who aged 26, is captaining his state.

Like Ricky Ponting from a previous era, the penny dropped and Marsh grew up fast and left his one-time party boy reputation behind him.

Marsh’s exquisite timing and breathtaking power taught England’s ramshackle side a cricketing lesson on Saturday at the WACA.

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But it was English officials in the stands who should have been most humiliated, as they witnessed first-hand what can happen when tough decisions are made for the long-term.

From Ben Stokes, to Alex Hales, to Jonny Bairstow – the ECB has refused to crack down on their off-field scandals with an uncompromising statement that sends a real message.

Instead they’ve taken halfway measures aimed at winning this Ashes at all costs and have let a culture problem fester.

Simon Katich was part of the Perth Scorchers set up when things went wrong with Marsh in South Africa, and says it was proof of what can happen when high standards are demanded.

“It was something that nobody wanted to go through,” said Katich.

“The group went through it, it was tough initially but out of it has come some really positive things.

A jubilant Mitchell Marsh celebrates his first Test century at the WACA Ground on Saturday.

“That’s the reality (for England) - If the group wants to have success then at some point they have to make those sacrifices.

“It’s not to say they can’t have fun, relax and have a few beers - but there’s a limit and there’s a time and a place. At the moment they haven’t got the time and place right.

“Sometimes tough love is the only way to get the desired result, because if you consistently get opportunities without being punished for bad behaviour, you’ll probably keep doing the same thing.”

Form has been Marsh’s biggest hurdle in recent seasons, but Saturday’s scintillating innings wouldn’t have been possible if not for the groundwork he did in his younger years.

Now he has proven his stellar domestic form was no mirage, as he delivered his biggest performance in the biggest moment.

The decision to rush Marsh back so soon after returning from months on the sidelines with injury has polarised opinion, mainly for the fact it has forced the axing of Peter Handscomb.

Mitchell Marsh, (left) celebrates his century with captain Steve Smith.

However, Saturday’s showing was yet another emphatic endorsement for selectors whose instinct has played a telling role in this Ashes series.

Selector Mark Waugh said during the first Test in Brisbane, before Marsh had even made his return to bowling that the West Australian all-rounder was the “full package.”

Yesterday’s superb knock – admittedly in batter friendly conditions – announced the long-awaited coming of Australian cricket’s prodigal son.

Dear Mitch Marsh, we’d like to wish you a warm welcome back to international cricket with some half volleys & throw downs with the new ball. Kind regards, England bowlers! pic.twitter.com/KnHigexKLp

— KP (@KP24) 16 December 2017

Marsh’s quicker than expected return to Test cricket came on the back of some impressive domestic form, but no amount of one-day and Sheffield Shield hundreds could Band-Aid over a Test average of 21.

Acutely aware of the scale of abuse he cops on social media, Marsh has resolved to put his head down and not be bogged down by the pressure that has constantly plagued him.

Yesterday Marsh silenced his critics in the most emphatic fashion possible.

The first to congratulate him as he came from the field for tea, having just celebrated his ton, was Handscomb – a sign of a good team man.