Mitch Marsh’s form, Mitch Starc’s fitness gives Aussie selectors plenty to ponder for SCG Test

Australia may lead 2-1 in the series after an epic victory at the MCG, but there’s still plenty of work to be done, which is why they can’t afford any selection risks in Sydney, writes Ben Horne.

Australia’s epic victory at the MCG may not stop selectors from having to make changes for the do-or-die series finale in Sydney on Friday – with question marks over whether Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Starc can play in the same XI.

In ordinary circumstances there is no way selectors would want to change a dressing room that is on a massive high after one of the all-time final day Test triumphs.

But to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy that has eluded them for eight years, Australia must not lose this final Test in Sydney and selectors cannot afford to take risks around the sore bodies of spearhead Starc and all-rounder Marsh.

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Starc is under an injury cloud. Picture: Michael Klein

After Australia came from nowhere to take seven wickets in the final session in Melbourne to take a 2-1 lead, it would be a nightmare to throw their advantage away by having a bowler break down hurt at the SCG and invite India an avenue to a series-levelling victory that would allow them to retain the trophy.

As a result, at least one of all-rounder Beau Webster and fast bowler Sean Abbott are firmly in line for a possible debut in Sydney, with selectors facing a couple of crunch calls over the coming 72 hours.

Starc did not deny he was sore when quizzed by Fox Cricket after play, saying simply he will worry about his fitness “tomorrow”, while Marsh’s place is also in the balance given his struggles with the bat and inability to contribute meaningful overs as a fifth bowling option.

Given Starc’s dominance this summer and the courageous way he still maintained consistent speeds of 140km/h despite obvious discomfort on day five in Melbourne, it should be left up to the big left-armer to decide whether or not he feels he can get through one final battle at the SCG.

“The first ball of a spell, when you’re a bit sore it always hurts a little bit more, so I’m pretty confident he’ll be fine,” captain Pat Cummins said.

“We’ll reassess in a couple of days, but he’s managing a couple of sore bits, well I think mainly one sore bit on his ribs or something.

“But he’s a warrior, he gets through, his pace didn’t drop off, he never even contemplates not being an option to bowl.

“So yeah, other than being in pain, he’s fully fit and available.”

If Starc was passed fit, it would leave Marsh even more in the gun with Webster a more reliable fifth bowling option to back up Starc and the other two warhorse quicks Pat Cummins and Scott Boland at the end of a long summer.

Webster would be the most likely to replace Marsh over Abbott if the reigning Allan Border Medalist was left out, given he is the obvious like-for-like batting all-rounder replacement.

Tasmanian Webster certainly looked like a man getting ready for something on Monday as he was put through his paces for a full batting session at the MCG.

Webster’s impressive record of 12 career first-class centuries at an average of 37.8 stacks up well and he is capable of bowling bulk overs of seamers and spin.

However, despite Marsh’s poor form, any decision to leave him out would not be taken likely given he is the nucleus of the dressing room as the ultimate team man.

Australia will be reluctant to change the frontline pace attack too, but will be well aware of the workload Cummins and Starc in particular are carrying heading into the fifth Test, with Starc clearly hampered by back or side soreness in the Melbourne classic.

Cummins has bowled 136.4 overs across the four games of the series, second only to Jasprit Bumrah with 141.2 overs, while Starc has amassed 131.2 overs for the third highest workload.

Certainly Abbott has never been closer to a Test debut given he looms as the most likely option should Starc not come up.

Mitch Marsh is battling for form. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Jhye Richardson is also in the mix to replace Starc should he be unable to back-up, although the decision by selectors to release him to play a Big Bash League match for Perth Scorchers on Tuesday night suggests Abbott might be the frontrunner in that race.

Richardson has proven himself as a Test bowler, but has not played a Test since 2021 and has battled through multiple shoulder issues.

Had the fourth Test been a draw, Abbott might have also shaped as a candidate to replace Marsh as a bowling all-rounder, but that seems far less likely now Australia aren’t chasing a win to secure the series.

Test great Ricky Ponting said on Channel 7 commentary when it appeared the match was destined for a draw, that Australian selectors may have to make a change for Sydney. Ponting may feel less strongly about his reasoning however, given Australia won to take a 2-1 lead.

“If Mitchell Starc plays, they’ll definitely want extra cover with the ball just in case and right now I don’t think Mitchell Marsh is providing enough of that, so the two options are there (Sean) Abbott either as a bowling all-rounder or (Beau) Webster as more of a batting all-rounder,” Ponting said on Channel 7.

Starc has typically struggled both late in series’ and at the SCG. Picture: Martin KEEP / AFP

“But the other thing is, even if they leave Starc out and played someone like Jhye Richardson, who also hasn’t played a lot of cricket of late, they might still need some bowling back-up for him as well.”

Then Australian Test captain Tim Paine reflected in his autobiography that in hindsight selectors should have freshened up the bowling attack of Starc, Cummins and Josh Hazlewood for the deciding fourth Test from four years ago when India pulled Australia’s pants down at the Gabba.

Statistics indicate Australia’s quicks do struggle at the end of long series, and Starc’s record at the SCG is his weakest at any Test venue in the country even though it’s his home ground.

That’s partly because the SCG hasn’t necessarily been a happy place for fast bowlers over the past decade, but that’s all the more why Australia will need to seriously consider rolling the dice and freshening up the attack.

Originally published as Mitch Marsh’s form, Mitch Starc’s fitness gives Aussie selectors plenty to ponder for SCG Test