"I think if he's just batting I don't think they should pick him" - Michael Clarke on Mitchell Marsh ahead of 2nd BGT 2024-25
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke is firmly against the idea of playing Mitchell Marsh as a pure batter for the upcoming second Test against India. The all-rounder was a doubt for the clash after suffering an injury in the series opener in Perth. Although Marsh has been labeled fit, there is uncertainty regarding how much he can contribute as a bowler.
There was immense pressure on Marsh ahead of the series after fellow all-rounder Cameron Green was ruled out of the home season. With an aging frontline bowling quartet, the Aussies needed overs from the fifth bowler to round up the bowling attack.
Marsh bowled 17 overs in Perth, the most he has since the fifth Ashes Test in 2019. He accounted for three wickets, including that of centurion Yashasvi Jaiswal in the second innings.
Cricket Australia (CA) had even called up in-form Tasmania all-rounder Beau Webster from the domestic circuit as cover if Marsh did not attain full fitness in time.
"He shouldn't play as a batter only. I think he's been picked as an all-rounder and I think Mitch needs to be bowling. I think if he's just batting I don't think they should pick him for his Test," Clarke said on ESPN's Around the Wicket (via Yahoo Sports).
Marsh is viewed as a vital cog in the Australian setup on the batting front. His counter-attacking prowess in the middle order has been handy, and he even scored a promising 47 in the second innings of the first Test in Perth.
Mitchell Marsh did not bowl in training ahead of the second Test
There was optimism regarding Mitchell Marsh's recovery, with veteran spinner Nathan Lyon acknowledging in a press conference that he expects the all-rounder to bowl in the second Test.
However, Marsh focused only on his batting in the nets, leaving doubts about how Australia will fill the void of the fifth bowler.
Apart from Marsh, Marnus Labuschagne had also rolled his arm over with both seam and spin in the series opener. The right-handed batter had chipped in with 6.3 overs in the second innings, which included a barrage of bouncers, and negative bowling.