Mitchell Marsh's prospects of a dramatic late recall to Australia's Test side for the back end of The Ashes series have suffered a significant blow following another low score in domestic cricket.
Another Disappointing Outing at the MCG
The Western Australian all-rounder and national white-ball captain managed a total of just 13 runs across two innings in his side's Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. After rain delayed the start of the third day by over four hours, Marsh's time at the crease in the second innings was brief.
He came in following the quick dismissal of nightwatchman Corey Rocchiccioli, who was trapped LBW by Victorian seamer Sam Elliott. Facing the same bowler, Marsh's attempt to pull a short delivery resulted in a top edge that was comfortably caught by fine leg fielder David Moody, a former WA teammate. He was sent back to the pavilion for just four runs from six balls.
A Familiar Story in the First Innings
This single-digit score mirrored his first-innings performance, where he was dismissed for nine. That knock ended when he edged a booming drive from paceman Mitch Perry through to wicketkeeper Sam Harper. These failures come at a critical juncture for the 33-year-old, as this Shield match is the final one before the competition breaks for the Big Bash League season.
This means Marsh will have no further opportunity to press his case in the first-class arena before the conclusion of the Ashes series against England.
Selectors' Faith Tested by Poor Form
Marsh was dropped from the Test team during last summer's series against India but has since been in outstanding form in limited-overs cricket for Australia. Recent reports had suggested national selectors were considering him for a role in the latter stages of the Ashes, a series where he boasts a strong record.
All three of his Test centuries have come against England, giving him a healthy batting average of 47.07 from 10 Tests against the old enemy. Earlier this year, Australian coach Andrew McDonald publicly stated that selectors "haven't given up on Mitch Marsh's Test career", praising his batting form and noting his high average since the Headingley Test in the 2023 Ashes prior to his drop.
However, this latest Shield performance, following a season where he was ultimately replaced by Beau Webster in the Test side, places a major question mark over any imminent red-ball comeback during the current marquee series.
