Mitch Marsh set to stay as Australia No. 6 despite David Warner retirement

Fresh off battering 90 runs at No. 6, Mitch Marsh says he hasn’t given opening any serious thought whatsoever. But like Travis Head, he’s unlikely to take David Warner’s spot.

Mitch Marsh has poured cold water on talk he could soar up the order to replace David Warner as Australian Test opener, saying he would be “reluctant” to move away from the No. 6 position.

Marsh continued his strong run since returning to the Test side with an aggressive 90 in Australia’s first innings against Pakistan at Optus Stadium.

Having been out of the side for almost four years, the series opener is Marsh’s fourth consecutive Test, with the West Australian averaging more than 56 with the bat across that period.

With the man he replaced - Cameron Green - still on the outer, Marsh has been floated as a potential opening partner for Usman Khawaja once Warner retires from Test cricket at the end of the Pakistan series. That would allow Green to return to the team as part of a rejigged top six.

Travis Head and Mitch Marsh both sound likely to remain in the Australian middle order. Picture: Getty Images

However while Marsh did not completely rule out a move to the top of the order, he said he had “absolutely not” given the role any serious thought, and that moving from No. 6 was not something he was desperate to do.

“I appreciate that there’s talk about it and eventually we’re going to need a new opener with Davey leaving,” Marsh said on Friday night.

“But I’ve worked really hard to get back in this side, and for me to look forward to having a role as opener doesn’t make sense to me.

“I love batting at No. 6 and I guess in my last four Test matches I’ve really found my way and I guess who I am as a Test cricketer and I’m loving it, so I’m reluctant to change that.”

Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne have also been raised as prospective openers but Head said in the lead-up to this match that such a move would be unlikely while Khawaja scoffed at the idea of Labuschagne shifting from No. 3.