Mitchell Marsh has a good possibility of retaining his spot for the final Test match against India in Sydney. This despite his modest batting performance throughout the series and limited bowling contribution. That, however, has been attributed to match situations, not fitness concerns.
Beau Webster, the uncapped Tasmanian all-rounder, has been included in the squad. He is joined by reserve fast bowlers Jhye Richardson and Sean Abbott. Their inclusion covers potential scenario of Mitchell Starc's inability to recover from a back issue sustained at the MCG, or if the selectors opt for changes.
Both coach Andrew McDonald and captain Pat Cummins acknowledged Starc's discomfort and his bowling through pain. They expressed optimism about his availability for the Sydney Test.
However, Starc's condition and his shared workload with Cummins across the series underscore Marsh's limited bowling involvement. He has bowled mere 33 overs across seven innings in the series, excluding the short second innings in Brisbane. After his initial figures of 2/12 in the first innings of the series, his subsequent performance stands at 1/127 from the last 28 overs.
In the fourth innings at the MCG, Travis Head's breakthrough proved match-winning. Marsh was not utilised in the final two sessions despite opportunities to rest the primary fast bowlers.
“No, there’s no concern,” McDonald said to dismiss concerns regarding Marsh's bowling contribution after the victory at the MCG.
“And I think people have probably been reading too much into that. We haven’t required him with the ball as often as what we would have thought. He bowled again today. His speeds are up in the high 120s [kph]. There are no injury concerns there.”
McDonald attributed the tactical approach to the limited use of Marsh's bowling.
“I think to sort of head that down that angle is a little bit unfair. We just haven’t required him at certain times for whatever reason, so that’s more a tactical implementation, as opposed to a body. I think the amount of overs that we’ve bowling across the series is probably going to be to a benefit to us.”
“Across the entirety of the series, it’s been relatively light, so I’d expect both attacks to be in decent shape to be able to press [in the final Test]. So does that mean you need a fifth bowler? I think you still need a fifth bowler. But are you going to put a huge demand on the fifth bowler, potentially not.”
Marsh's limited bowling opportunities have further highlighted his struggles with the bat. Last season, the Allan Border Medalist was Australia's top Test batter. He registered match-winning half-centuries in four of Australia's six victories against Pakistan, West Indies, and New Zealand.
This series, however, his performance has dipped to 73 runs at an average of 10.42. Of these, 47 runs were scored in the second innings in Perth, a match that was already out of reach. Nathan McSweeney, before being dropped for the fourth Test, scored 72 runs at an average of 14.40.
Despite the underwhelming performance and a known history of self-doubt, McDonald expressed confidence in Marsh's mental state.
“Would he like better performances? There’s no doubt about that,” said McDonald. “Over four Test matches, he hasn’t been able to deliver at the level that he would like and we would like, but yeah he’s up and about. We just won a Test match. He’s in a pretty good headspace.”
McDonald believes his fast-bowling trio can manage the quick turnaround to Sydney despite Starc's soreness.
"Anytime you get through the game, it's always a good indicator that you're a chance at the next game," McDonald said. "It didn't stop him. Clearly, there was a little bit of discomfort early on in spells, but once he got warm, it seemed as though he was pretty free. [His] ball speeds were good.
"We'll see how everyone recovers. Bowling last, it was a pretty attritional game, something that we're not used to in the last few years. Clearly Starcy's carrying something of some description. We'll assess that. But other than that, it looks as though we got through pretty unscathed, but [with a] short turnaround recovery is important, and we'll assess what the team looks like in Sydney based upon the surface, as we always do."
Richardson was allowed to participate in a Big Bash League (BBL) game for Perth Scorchers in Adelaide on New Year's Eve. He will rejoin the squad on Wednesday. Despite his injury history, McDonald expressed confidence in Richardson's readiness if needed.
"Very confident," he said. "He's here for a reason. So if we weren't confident, he wouldn't be here. He's had a heavy week with us in the nets. All indications are he'd be capable of bowling 40-plus overs if he was called upon.
"Sean Abbott's there as well. We feel like, [the] SCG is his home ground, so he will be serviceable if called upon as well. It'll be about assessing our frontline quicks and then making decisions from there."
Reserve batter Josh Inglis was withdrawn from the squad due to a calf strain sustained while substitute fielding on the second day at the MCG. It remains unconfirmed whether a replacement will be named.
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