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'Most of Australia hate me': Mitch Marsh's classy message for critics

Mitch Marsh knows he's not the most loved cricketer going around in Australia.

Frankly, it doesn't seem to bother him all that much.

The often maligned allrounder responded to criticism of his recall for the fifth Ashes Test with career-best bowling figures of 4-35 on the opening day at The Oval.

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The West Australian has, perhaps unfairly at times, been painted as a scapegoat after failing to consistently deliver for Australia on the international stage.

On day one at The Oval, however, Marsh was the pick of the Aussie bowlers as England rallied late to reach 8-271 at stumps.

The 27-year-old, recalled alongside Peter Siddle as Australia hunt their first Ashes series win in England since 2001, trudged off late on Thursday because of cramp.

It was the only thing that went wrong on a dominant Thursday for the West Australian, who returned to the field and the attack but couldn't snag his maiden five-wicket haul.

That milestone may yet come on Friday but Australia hope Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood end England's fightback before Marsh has a chance to shine.

Even so, Marsh is just happy to have been given another opportunity at Test level and another shot at winning over some of his many critics.

“Most of Australia hate me,” Marsh joked after his Day 1 performance.

“Australians are passionate, they love their cricket, they want people to do well.

“There’s no doubt that I’ve had a lot of opportunities at Test level and I haven’t quite nailed it but hopefully they can respect me for the fact I keep coming back.

“Hopefully I win them over one day.”

Marsh sparks huge England collapse

Marsh did far more than hold up an end, igniting a collapse of 5-75 when a mistimed pull shot from Stokes somehow resulted in a skied catch for Nathan Lyon at point.

The 27-year-old, who generated impressive swing in his first outing for Australia since last year's Boxing Day Test, then removed Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran and Chris Woakes to snare 3-17 in an eight-over spell after tea.

The allrounder's bowling heroics on the opening day were a fitting reward for a man who sacrificed a potentially lucrative IPL contract to earn his Ashes recall.

“I certainly worked hard the last five months to get an opportunity again,” he said.

Mitch Marsh's career-best bowling figures would have silenced some of his critics.
Mitch Marsh took career-best bowling figures on day one at The Oval. Pic: Getty

“When you have setbacks you always think the worst, I thought I might not play again after a summer like I had last year.

“There was a range of stuff there ... a few things in my personal life I lost a close friend to suicide at the start of the summer.

“When things like that happen I didn’t handle it as well as I could have. “It transitioned into my cricket at times as well. I understand everyone goes through tough periods in their life.

“I certainly didn’t handle that as best as I could.

“I just worked my bum off hoping to get another opportunity. Today was a really pleasing day.”