Mitchell Marsh’s mental mastery a reward for re-evaluating his approach to the game
MITCHELL Marsh says the hard yards he put in to save the Boxing Day Test is only a snapshot into the work he’s put into transforming his game over the past 12 months.
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MITCHELL Marsh says the hard yards he put in to save a Test match for Australia in Melbourne is only a snapshot into the work he’s put into transforming his game over the past 12 months.
The star all-rounder missed the best part of a year as he went under the knife for shoulder surgery, but in the time he completely re-evaluated his approach to cricket.
In the space of two Test matches, Marsh has shown how he can punish an attack in good batting conditions, and also survive on a fifth day when the ball is stopping in the wicket and the match is on the line.
Another test will come in South Africa in March on more seaming decks, but so far Marsh has proven that he has made drastic improvements to the cricketer who dropped out of the team in India last year a shell of the kid who had come through the ranks showing so much potential.
There were initial plans for Marcus Stoinis to be Australia’s first-choice all-rounder this summer and for Marsh to have to bide his time longer in Shield cricket, but a variety of circumstances have resulted in a quick recall.
Marsh knew something had to change, otherwise his flame was on the verge of burning out.
“I’ve worked extremely hard over the past nine months to make sure I have a game that can adapt to all conditions,” he said.
“I realise I’ve only done that now in two Test innings and I have a long way to go. But I’ve certainly gained a lot of confidence from the past few weeks.
“I’ve always been excited about playing Test match cricket, but the stress levels rise when you’re not performing.
“Maybe it’s an age (and maturity) thing. But I felt like I was in really good form when I came into the team this summer and I’m really enjoying it at the moment.”
Marsh had faced 100 balls for his first 14 runs in a marathon knock on the last day in Melbourne that helped save Australia’s bacon.
Conditions were far from minefield status, but Marsh still had reverse swing, a slow wicket and immense scoreboard pressure to counteract.
He walked off satisfied with what he’d achieved.
“I said to (Steve Smith) as we were walking off that I was proud,” he said.
“Probably the biggest thing I was most happy about it is that 12 months ago with my mental side of my game I probably don’t think I could have got through that.
“While I know it was the flattest wicket in cricket history, to apply myself for that long and not really care about scoring is something I’ve gained a lot of confidence from.
“I did embrace it. I think I’ve said it a couple of weeks now, I’ve been a lot more relaxed with this preparation when I came back to the Test team.
“I knew the game plan I’d have to go out there with and it was about sticking to that for as long as we needed to get the draw.
“I felt really confident in my game plan once I got in and that I was able to do the job.”
MARSH BACKS AGAR FOR SCG
Marsh rates Steve Smith’s leadership highly, saying the skipper inspires with words as much as he does the willow.
Smith’s career-best form has resulted in centuries at the Gabba, WACA and MCG this summer.
Smith has become Australia’s first captain to score 600 or more runs in an Ashes series since Don Bradman, helping the hosts reclaim the urn. Much of the intrigue around the five-Test series finale, which starts at the SCG on Thursday, centres on how many more records Smith can break. The world’s best batsman has made it clear he only cares about winning the series 4-0.
Smith will have a large say in whether Australia can record another win over England, not only because of his runs.
“He’s in incredible form but the thing I love most is the way he leads,” Marsh told reporters in Sydney.
“You want your captain to be leading on the field and off it. The way he does it all is unbelievable.
“He loves the game. It’s just his hunger for us to be a successful team .. it’s rubbing off on all of us.
“We’ve all got so much respect for him and hopefully his form continues.”
Marsh was at the non-striker’s end for much of Smith’s career-best knock of 239 in Perth then formed another key partnership with his skipper in Melbourne, ensuring Australia salvaged a draw.
“I’m starting to run out of things to say about him,” Marsh said. “The other day it was like he was having a net session. We all love watching him bat.”
- By Rob Forsaith AAP