Mitchell Marsh’s case to replace David Warner as Australian Test opener strengthened

Talk of Mitch Marsh replacing David Warner as Australian Test opener is gathering steam, with skipper Pat Cummins the latest to weigh in on the possibility.

Despite a timely century for Test candidate Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Marsh continues to firm as a shock option to be David Warner’s replacement opener after receiving the backing of the man with the final say.

Pat Cummins said Marsh would come under consideration to move to the top of the innings after Warner’s retirement, as the captain talked down the chances of shifting Marnus Labuschagne up a position in the batting order.

The difference between No.3 and opening isn’t necessarily all that significant given first drop batsmen are often thrust into the action early against the new ball.

However, Cummins – who as captain has the final say over the batting order – questioned the logic in shifting arguably the world’s best Test batsman from the anchor position in the line-up, considering Labuschagne has made it his own and is the future of the batting order.

Mitch Marsh celebrates his century during the Ashes earlier this year. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images

Specialist opener Renshaw mounted a strong case for replacing Warner for the late summer Test series against West Indies after starring with a ton for the Prime Minister’s XI against Pakistan on Friday which may at least take him past Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris in the pecking order.

However, selectors appear to be leaning towards prioritising getting the displaced Cameron Green (46 for the PM’s XI) back into the top six and deciding from there which batsman would be best placed to take on the challenge of being Usman Khawaja’s partner at the top of the innings.

Cummins said he was not against the argument the likes of Greg Chappell and Brad Haddin have put for power-hitting all-rounder Marsh becoming a left-field choice to open after Warner.

Mitch Marsh and David Warner during a partnership at the ODI World Cup.

“It’s a possibility. You’re open to anything really. I’ve seen him make that shift in white ball cricket,” Cummins said at the launch of Fox Cricket and Kayo on Friday.

“(He can) put the pressure back on the opening bowlers, hit them off their lengths. You never say never but he handled No.6 in the Ashes pretty impressively.”

Renshaw’s runs against Pakistan with the spotlight on him can’t be discounted, but his strike rate of 41 is a far cry from Warner’s brisk career strike rate of 70.

When Australian coach Andrew McDonald first floated the prospect selectors might choose Green to replace Warner’s place in the top six, rather than a specialist opener – he used David Boon and Justin Langer as examples of No.3 batsmen who had been promoted to the top.

It followed that Labuschagne was under serious consideration to make the shift this summer, but Cummins’ on Friday cautioned against that move, even if the Queenslander would technique and mindset-wise be up to the task.

Cameron Green batting for the PM’s XI against Pakistan. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“It’s a tough one. No batter ever owns a position but you want to try and pick the team that’s going to function the best,” Cummins said.

“And I think Marnus at No.3 is really impressive. You’ve got to make a pretty compelling case to move someone, your highest performing players out of their position.”

Former Test all-rounder Shane Watson believes Green himself could be the answer as an opener.

Australia certainly feels Green is capable of batting at No.4 in the order and it remains to be seen whether they’d even consider him higher up.

Cummins said he was invested in Green and says he sees some of himself in the young star who endured a challenging 2023 after getting dropped at the end of the Ashes.

“The tough thing about Greeny is, and there’s probably some comparison to me, you’re learning your craft on the biggest stage,” Cummins said.

“Playing international cricket at a really young age is a privilege but it does also mean you’re making your mistakes and failures in front of a really big audience.

“Other guys your age might be doing it at domestic cricket or grade cricket. Hopefully I can support him and work with him. He’s an absolute champion player and bloke.”