Mitch Marsh cracked cut shots and unleashed thunderous pull shots in a cameo in the nets in Perth on Thursday that served as a reminder of the prodigious power the Western Australian possesses on the eve of the Border Gavaskar Trophy series.
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But there has never been any doubt about the Allan Border Medallist’s ability to wield the willow. The big question surrounding the powerful allrounder is whether he is fit enough to fully fulfil the dual purposes that serve that role given recent injury concerns.
The 33-year-old pulled up gingerly after his most recent outing with the ball in a one-day match in England in late September and played solely as a batter in his two Sheffield Shield matches in October preceding a recent stint of paternity leave.
The burden Marsh is shouldering is greater this summer given the absence of fellow Western Australian Cameron Green with a back problem, combined with the addition of an extra Test to make it a five match contest that culminates in Sydney in early January.
But the doting dad sent down some overs at training on Monday and Australian skipper Pat Cummins is confident in the Sandgroper’s ability to have an impact with both the bat and the ball during the Border Gavaskar Trophy series.
“I’ll never put an upper-limit (on overs) for anyone. He’ll definitely bowl this Test – well, he’s definitely available to bowl,” Cummins said.
“He’s an allrounder. With the way us four bowlers are set out, we never really budget an allrounder bowling heaps. So I would imagine (Marsh bowls) a few spells each innings or something like that.
“But he’s ready to go. He’s been bowling really well this week. His body’s great, the best it’s been for a while. He’s ready to go and happy to bowl as much as we need.”
Should an issue flare with Marsh, Cummins can also turn to No.3 Marnus Labuschagne, who as captain has opted to bowl himself for Queensland in domestic matches this year, while Travis Head is also capable of serving up some spin.
Labuschagne, who has spent more time bowling medium pace this season but is also capable of turning the ball, snared two wickets from six overs in a match against Western Australia at the WACA, which sits on the other side of the Swan River, last month.
“He’s always trying to impress with the ball, which is great. He loves bowling,” Cummins said.
“He’s bowled some handy overs for Queensland. Obviously, he’s got leg spin (and he has) bowled a bit of off spin in the past, and then this year it’s been onto pace bowling.
“I’m sure he’ll get the ball at some stage. And he’s been bowling quite a few bouncers as well. So that’s maybe something we’ll turn to at some point.”
Cummins, meanwhile, is confident new opener Nathan McSweeney will adjust to the pressure that comes with debuting in Test cricket.
While the South Australian-representative is stepping into the shoes of Australian greats of David Warner and Steve Smith, who filled the role for four Tests last summer, Cummins has urged the 25-year-old to approach the role in his own fashion alongside Usman Khawaja.
“Davey is very hard to replace in many ways, but I think the most important thing for someone like Nathan, who’s coming in, is just to play his own game. He doesn’t need a strike it at 80 like Davey did. That’s not his game,” Cummins said.
“I’d love to see (the openers) bring the best out in each other. (They have) played a little bit and batted a bit together for Queensland.
“I think for both them, it’s about bringing what they bring to the table. For Uzzy, it’s those long innings getting the bowlers to come back, back and back again. And, you know, I think Nate’s pretty similar in that regard.”
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