Mitchell Marsh declared fit to bowl at MCG during scorching Boxing Day heat
It’s set to be a long, hot Boxing Day in the field, and Australia will be able to call on Mitch Marsh if needed as the mercury climbs to 40 degrees. DANIEL CHERNY has the latest.
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Mitch Marsh bowled in the MCG nets on Monday ahead of a Test in which the all-rounder may need to shoulder a heavier load because of extreme heat on Boxing Day.
The Aussies trained for the first time since arriving in Melbourne ahead of the crucial fourth Test, with all squad members present bar Josh Inglis, who was due to play in the Big Bash League for the Perth Scorchers against the Melbourne Renegades on Monday night before joining the national side.
Travis Head – who experienced quad tightness on day five of the third Test in Brisbane – did not bat in what was an optional session although he spent some time on the field and in the gym.
All-rounder Marsh’s fitness status has been a talking point during the series, particularly in the aftermath of the first Test in Perth following which he pulled up sore.
Marsh didn’t roll the arm over in the days leading up to the second Test in Adelaide but was ultimately cleared to bowl, albeit barely needed, sending down just four overs in Australia’s 10-win wicket.
He then bowled only two overs in India’s first innings in Brisbane, with the Aussie camp stressing that the West Australian – who remains favoured to hold his spot from understudy Beau Webster – had been fit to bowl more if required.
That shapes as a more likely prospect if the Aussies bowl on Thursday given a forecast high of 40 degrees which would place a strain on frontline quicks Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland.
That Marsh was feeling comfortable enough to bowl in the nets three days out from day one shaped as a promising sign for the Aussies.
Thursday’s weather will test those in the middle, but the more than 90,000 expected to fill the stands will also not be immune to the conditions.
Melbourne Cricket Club chief executive Stuart Fox urged spectators to take care of themselves in such oppressive conditions.
“Some extreme weather predicted on day one, which is going to be challenging for everyone, 40 degrees,” Fox said on Monday
“And we just want to encourage all the fans to look after themselves, their friends and their family, cover up. There’s obviously free water stations, free sunscreen around the stadium.
Stay hydrated if you’re having a beer, drink responsibly, and look after each other. We’ll have plenty of medical attention in and around the stadium, so if anyone needs any assistance, they can come and talk to one of our staff.
“25,000 bottles of water are normally consumed for the full Test. We’ve got 125,000 bottles of water ready to go, but there’s also the free water stations if people are looking to fill up. So we’re planned, and we’re just really upgrading all the resources in and around the stadium, the staffing. We’ve spoken to the medical providers, and there’ll be extra staff.”
Originally published as Mitchell Marsh declared fit to bowl at MCG during scorching Boxing Day heat
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