Aussie coach drops major hint about Mitch Marsh’s Test future

Mitch Marsh’s spot in the Test team is under serious threat after he failed to deliver ahead of Australia’s clash with India at the SCG on Friday.

Australian coach Andrew McDonald insists Mitch Marsh’s spot in the side is not under threat as he hinted the all-rounder would take on more of the bowling workload in the fifth and final Test.

The Aussies travelled to Sydney on Tuesday riding high on their incredible 184-run victory against India on Monday.

Watch every ball of Australia v India LIVE & ad-break free during play in 4K on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

The clutch win puts Pat Cummins’ side on the verge of regaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after what has been a barren decade.

A draw at the SCG, which gets underway on Friday, would be enough to secure the trophy, while a win would lock in a spot in June’s World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s.

So getting the team right for the final Test couldn’t be any more important.

Mitch Marsh has struggled with the bat against India, averaging just over 10 this series. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

And despite the incredible fourth Test triumph, calls have continued to mount for Marsh to be dropped after what has been a lean series for the all-rounder.

The reigning Allan Border Medallist is under serious public scrutiny due to not firing with the bat and barely bowling a ball despite being selected as an all-rounder.

Marsh is averaging 10.42 with the bat and 46.33 with the ball for the series - where he has bowled just 16 wicketless overs across the last three Tests on the back of 17 in Perth.

And fans are urging the Aussie selectors to swing the axe ahead of the crucial fifth Test.

Mitch Marsh can't be picked for the SCG test. Surely. Bloke is horrendously out of form. Offers nothing with the ball and delivering nothing with the bat.#AUSvIND#Cricket

— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) December 29, 2024

Australia have played with 10 players in this match. If they pick Mitch Marsh in Sydney, all of Australia will erupt.

George Bailey had no problems dropping the newbie. Time for some calls on the more experienced players.#AUSvIND | #BorderGavaskarTrophy

— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) December 30, 2024

Lalor: "I think a change needs to be made there. If I had my selector's hat on I'm not picking Mitch Marsh in Sydney."#AUSvIND

— SEN Cricket (@SEN_Cricket) December 28, 2024

There is no way Mitch Marsh should be playing in Sydney

— Joshy (@the_joshy_boy) December 29, 2024

The 33-year-old entered the second Test under an injury cloud and speculation has continued to grow that he simply isn’t fit and therefore should be dropped for Beau Webster, who was rushed into the squad to cover for Marsh if required after the first Test.

But McDonald insists Marsh’s place in the Test team is not under threat and that his limited overs this series has nothing to do with lingering injury concerns.

“There’s no concern. And I think people have probably been reading too much into that,” McDonald said.

“We haven’t required him with the ball as often as what we would have thought.

“He bowled again (on day five). His speeds were up in the high 120s, there are no injury concerns there.

“So I think to sort of head down that angle is a little bit unfair.

“We just haven’t required him at certain times for whatever reason. So that’s more a tactical implementation, as opposed to a body.”

“He’s in a good space,” McDonald added. “Would he like better performances? There’s no doubt about that. Over four Test matches, he hasn’t been able to deliver at the level he would like and we would like. But yeah, I mean, he’s up and about.”

Calls are growing for Mitch Marsh to be axed for the fifth and final Test. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, there are concerns Mitchell Starc may not be fit.

Starc struggled with sore ribs in Melbourne after day three, but bravely continued, even taking the crucial wicket of star veteran Virat Kohli in the second innings.

But after sending down 41 overs in Melbourne, the Aussie quick was seen worse for wear at the close of play on Monday.

And with just three days to recover, the 34-year-old is understandably in doubt.

Mitchell Starc is in doubt for the fifth Test after sending down a whopping 41 overs in Melbourne. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

However, McDonald is optimistic he will be good to go for his home Test.

“Any time you get through the game, it’s always a good indicator that you’re a chance at the next game,” McDonald said of Starc.

“It didn’t stop him. Clearly there was a little bit of discomfort early on in spells, but once he got warm it seemed as though he was pretty free.

“The morning session there, the 20-plus overs that we bowled (on Monday), is probably as good as we’ve delivered.

“If that’s any indicator, ‘Starcy’ was a part of that, and as a collective that was relentless and really gave us an opportunity to control the game.”

If the NSW veteran is ruled out of the Sydney Test either Jhye Richardson or the uncapped Sean Abbott will likely get the nod.

Originally published as Aussie coach drops major hint about Mitch Marsh’s Test future