‘Absolutely not’: Mitch Marsh emphatically rejects burning question

Mitch Marsh was asked the biggest question facing the Australian cricket squad this summer, but emphatically rejected the notion.

Sorry Australia, Mitch Marsh isn’t keen on changing it up.

The all-rounder delivered a blunt response to one of the biggest questions facing the Australian Test squad this summer.

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With David Warner’s time at the crease set to end following the Sydney Test, speculation has ran wild over who will be the man to take his spot at the top of the order.

While Matt Renshaw and Cameron Bancroft have emerged as the leading candidates among cricket fans, Marsh’s name was thrown into the mix.

The Western Australian star, who blazed a stunning 90 on day two against Pakistan, was asked for his thoughts on moving up the order to partner with Usman Khawaja.

He gave a rather emphatic two word response to the question.

“Absolutely not,” Marsh said.

“How do I answer this without creating a headline? For me, I appreciate there is talk about it and eventually we are going to need a new opener with Davey leaving,” he said.

“But I have worked really hard to get back into this side and for me to look forward to having a role as an opener just doesn’t make sense to me. I love batting at No.6.

“I guess in my last four Test matches, I have really found my way in who I am as a Test cricketer and I am loving it, so I am reluctant to change that.”

Marsh isn’t moving up. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)

Marsh said his key to developing as a Test player had come from being true to himself and focusing on being positive with the bat, not focusing on occupying the crease.

“I guess I just wanted to come back into this Test team and be really true to myself,” he said.

“I have said it numerous times, but I am thankful for Patty and Ronny (captain Pat Cummins and coach Andrew McDonald) for helping me get to this point.

“Like I said before, my method works (for me) and I have also said multiple times that I don’t necessarily have the technique of ‘Smudge’ (Steve Smith) or Marnus (Labuschagne), where they can defend and leave and defend and leave for hours, and get through those periods.

“I know when I show really good intent, I move better and can defend good balls, but ultimately I can put pressure back onto good teams.

“The beauty of batting at six is that if you bat well, you get some tired bowlers to counter-attack and hopefully take the game forward.

“Hopefully I can stay nice and consistent with the way I’m playing and keep performing.”

He’s staying in the middle order. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Marsh fell agonisingly short of a fourth Test century after being clean bowled with the first ball following the lunch break, ending his innings 10 runs shy.

Having brought up his half century off just 66 balls, those watching on were convinced the 32-year-old was comfortably on track to raise the bat.

But it all came undone after Khurram Shahzad thundered one into the stumps and sent him packing.

He described it as “a pretty good ball” and said it was a “fine line” between success and failure, but conceded he did “try to hit it out of the stadium”.

“I don’t necessarily ever feel like I’ll ever own a spot in the team but I feel blessed to have been given another opportunity and I am just thoroughly enjoying it,” he said.

“I have got a really clear role and that allows me to be myself and hopefully I can hang around for a little bit longer.”