Ashes 2025-26: Mitchell Marsh misfires in first of three Ashes defining against Victoria

The prospect of Test lifeline for Mitchell Marsh has made a slow start in a career-defining week against Victoria.

The week which could define Mitchell Marsh’s Test future has made a slow start during a brief yet entertaining cameo at Junction Oval on Tuesday.

Marsh was recalled to Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield side for his first red-ball game since the Boxing Day Test last summer.

The match has been widely viewed as Marsh’s audition for a potential Sam Konstas-like injection into the back end of the Ashes.

Prior to Thursday’s shield match at the MCG, the national white-ball captain turned out for his state in a One-Day Cup game against Victoria.

Marsh was distant from his recent form early, surviving a trio of heartfelt appeals and hitting just two runs off his first 22 balls.

Mitchell Marsh is looking to impress Test selectors during games with WA this week. Picture: Josh Chadwick/Getty Images

But he quickly kicked into gear and moved to 17 across his next five balls with two boundaries and one towering six over square leg.

Just as Marsh started to ignite and threaten to break the game open, he chipped the ball back to Victorian seamer Xavier Crone in his follow through.

Crone was convinced the ball had carried but Marsh remained still and needed to be sent on his way by the umpires.

Western Australia was chasing Victoria’s 10-285 after Oliver Peake (54), Sam Harper (54) and Tom Rogers (50) recorded half-centuries.

The Vics were without their first-choice bowling attack from the batting innings after youngster Austin Anlezark was substituted out of the game with concussion.

WA quick Joel Paris struck Anlezark on the helmet during his innings and he was ruled out at the ­innings break.

Originally published as Ashes 2025-26: Mitchell Marsh misfires in first of three Ashes defining against Victoria