‘Got us good’: Mitch Marsh Ashes prank was pitch perfect

If you thought Australia were worried by England’s Bazball threat, a prematch joke has shown just how the world champs are feeling.

Well played Australia, well played.

The world champion Australian cricket team has dropped a hilarious joke on the cricket world within an hour of the first Test against England at Edgbaston.

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Pat Cummins already left Australia hanging after he refused to announce the team for the Test in his press conference yesterday and said he’d keep it close to his chest until the toss.

While the batting order was settled, there was plenty of intrigue about the bowling positions with Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc all battling it out for two spots.

Or so was first thought.

So when the Australian bowlers went out to mark there run ups, there were three men the world was looking for.

As Cameron Green, Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins marked their run ups, Scott Boland was the first of the trio to join them, essentially confirming his place in the side.

But there was another player who joined them that no one had on their bingo card — Mitchell Marsh — who dutifully measured out his run up.

Australia trolled the world. Photo: Getty Images

The Australian’s Peter Lalor shared his shock as the media noticed the Western Australian and 32-Test veteran seemingly looking like he was playing.

MITCH MARSH IS marking out a run up.

Is he going to play?????????

Two all rounders ?????????? pic.twitter.com/ALcSkjZ90p

— Peter Lalor (@plalor) June 16, 2023

Soon after Marsh marked his run up, Hazlewood came out to mark his run up.

While it’s not clear that anyone was truly fooled by the move as it would have been arguably the biggest Ashes bombshell in history if Marsh came in, it was a perfect joke ahead of the opening match of the Ashes.

Lalor added: “Mitch Marsh got us good.

“Hazlewood is playing by the look of it. Starc is out.”

CODE Sports reporter Adam Peacock wrote: “Magnificent gee up. Glorious s**ts and giggles stuff from Mitch Marsh. What a guy.”

They made us think Mitch Marsh was playing for 10 minutes. THE MIND GAMES HAVE BEGUN

— Andy Ward (@GetItQuietly) June 16, 2023

Very good bit from the Australians to have Mitch Marsh mark out his run-up, hide Hazelwood and then start Hazelwood anyway.

Strong start to the real quiz. The Comedy Ashes.

— Big Brian (@Brian1zvx) June 16, 2023

The Mitch Marsh thing was pure genius.
Never seen so many so called experts with their heads almost exploding. 🤣🤣 #ENGvAUS#Ashes2023

— Maurice Billi - armitage*shanks 💉💉💪🏼 (@mauricebilli) June 16, 2023

Glad Mitch Marsh was just a ruse… England batting in #Ashes2023 Test 1 at Edgbaston on @abcsport with Hazlewood replacing Starc from WTC winning team 🏏

— Zane Bojack (@zanofc) June 16, 2023

England win the toss and bat.

Australia go with Josh Hazlewood over Mitchell Starc.

Mitch Marsh providing the pre-game entertainment.#Ashes2023

— Paddy Sweeney (@SweeneyPaddy9) June 16, 2023

Tough news for Mitch Starc. Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

And minutes later, Cummins confirmed that it was Mitchell Starc who had missed out for the first Test.

“We’ll need to (rotate bowlers) throughout the series,” Cummins said at the toss.

“Tough call on Mitchy (Starc) I thought he was really impressive last week (in the World Test Championship final).”

Starc took four wickets in the World Test Championship Final, including Virat Kohli in the first innings and Ajinkya Rahane in the second innings.

But he was also the least-used of the Aussie’s main quicks, bowling 27.4 overs for the match for figures of 4/148 across both innings and going at 5.3 runs per over, easily the most expensive bowler.