Mitch Marsh continues incredible career resurgence as touching family detail emerges

Mitch Marsh was named player of the match as he continued his remarkable career resurgence in the first Test against Pakistan in front of his home crowd in Perth. The all-rounder made 90 and 63 not out, as well as picking up the key wicket of Babar Azam in the first innings, to help the Aussies win by 360 runs.

The player of the match performance has cemented Marsh's place in the Aussie side for the foreseeable future - which would have been an unthinkable development just 12 months ago. The 32-year-old must have thought his Test career was all-but over when Cameron Green burst onto the scene, but Marsh won a recall during the Ashes earlier this year and hasn't looked back.

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Playing his first Test at Perth Stadium and his first in Western Australia since 2017, Marsh showed he certainly belongs as he battered the Pakistan attack to all parts of the ground. He also took 1-34 in the first innings and claimed the prized scalp of former Pakistan captain Babar.

His performance came in front of an adoring home crowd, which included several members of his family. Speaking to cricket.com during the match, Marsh's brother Shaun revealed the role that family and wife Greta have played in getting him back to Test level.

"He's got a beautiful wife in Greta who's been amazing for him, as has her family," Shaun said. "They've got a farm down in Gracetown (in WA's Margaret River region) that he gets to a fair bit, and I think it's just a really nice way to get away from cricket.

"So I think he's got a real nice balance with that and his family, and he just seems really happy. Family is such a big part of Mitch's life. He knew we were all here yesterday, the grandparents and all his close mates and family.

"To make sure he could see us up here, it was a special moment for us to be able to come to a Perth Test match. The way he's playing at the moment everyone is just really proud of him and I hope it continues for him."

Mitch Marsh over the moon to be playing Test cricket again

The importance of family was epitomised when Marsh flew home from the recent World Cup in India amid the death of his maternal grandfather Ross. His parents Geoff and Michelle, brother Shaun and his family, and both of Marsh's grandmothers were all in attendance during the Perth Test.

After conceding at one stage that "most of Australia hated him", Marsh is now an overwhelming fan favourite around the country. Over the last two years he has helped Australia win the T20 and ODI World Cups, as well as retaining the Ashes in the most recent series in England.

"I've worked really hard to get back in this side," he told reporters after making 90 in the first dig in Perth. "I love batting at number six and I guess in my last four Test matches I've really found my way and who I am as a Test cricketer. I'm loving it."

About starring in his home Test, Marsh said: " It's been amazing, obviously my first Test at Perth Stadium and the first Test match at Perth in six years so it's nice to be back. Thank you everyone for getting around me, it's been an incredible experience."

Fans have been flocking to social media over the last few days to celebrate Marsh's triumphant return to Test cricket at home. Many have pointed out that they never thought they'd see him playing Test cricket again, let along excelling.

with AAP

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