Scans reveal Mitch Marsh broke hand in wall punch debacle

Mitch Marsh could be out of action for a month after scans on Monday confirmed a broken hand sustained when he punched a wall at the WACA Ground.

Marsh was frustrated after falling for 53 when well set against Tasmania.

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It was the “moment of madness” that is likely to cost Mitch Marsh his Test place and seen him threatened with an unprecedented penalty as WA captain.

Marsh could be out of action for a month after scans on Monday confirmed a broken hand sustained when he punched a wall at the WACA Ground on Sunday.

Marsh declined to comment after his scan but the first Test against Pakistan is only five weeks away and he has a nearly impossible task to retain his position at No.6.

And he is facing the prospect of further punishment from the WACA with WA coach Adam Voges confirming he would discuss the matter with Marsh this week.

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Marsh was frustrated after falling for 53 when well set against Tasmania.

“It is a huge punishment if he has to miss any cricket but we will sit down later in the week after we get the scans,” Voges said.

“It is disappointing that any West Australian player, especially the captain, has subjected himself to missing any games of cricket because of a moment of madness.

“It was not appropriate for any West Australian cricketer, let alone the skipper.”

Voges said Marsh deserved credit for being so candid and apologetic with his teammates after the incident in the changerooms after being dismissed in the Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania.

And Voges said that it was “not the first time” he had seen a dismissed batsman vent his frustration in such a fashion though he was adamant that effective leadership required the captain to set a better example.

Has Marsh put himself in danger of missing out on the Aussie Test team?

“Mitch is a good person and this is one moment of frustration but it might cost him a long period out of the game,” Voges said.

“Mitch spoke to the group and acknowledged that as a leader of West Australian cricket, it was not good enough.

“They appreciated his honesty but we won’t stand for that sort of behaviour.

“It is a test of his leadership and for him to jeopardise his position and potentially jeopardise playing cricket for us, we don’t need those dramas.

“He needs to be better and hopefully will learn from it.”

Tim Paine was back among the runs.

Marsh punched the wall while still wearing his batting gloves, potentially preventing a worse injury, after being dismissed in the first over of the day as WA attempted to set up a win against the Tigers.

He was on 51 overnight and had added just two before he hit a stinging return catch to fast bowler Jackson Bird.

“He was setting himself to bat through most of the day with his brother (Shaun) and when that plan didn’t turn out there was some frustration there,” Voges said.

The WACA will have to find a new captain if Marsh is unable to lead WA against Victoria on Friday with his deputy Ashton Turner already out of action with a broken finger and opener Cam Bancroft banned from any leadership positions until March.

Veteran Shaun Marsh has captained WA four times in his 100 first-class matches and may replace his brother.