Mitch Marsh news boosts Aussies ahead of T20 Word Cup opener
Australia captain Aaron Finch has confirmed that allrounder Mitchell Marsh will likely bowl in his side's opening match at the T20 World Cup, in a big boost for the Aussies.
Marsh has been under a bowling injury cloud in the lead-up to Australia's tournament opener against New Zealand at the SCG on Saturday night.
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The towering West Australian has not bowled since suffering an ankle injury against Zimbabwe in August, with the 31-year-old featuring exclusively as a batter over recent weeks.
Finch's Aussie side were not expecting Marsh to be able to bowl until at least the second Super 12 match against Sri Lanka on Tuesday night in Perth.
However, Marsh has given the troublesome ankle at good test in training with the Aussie side and is showing no ill-effects, in news that will delight his coach and teammates.
The allrounder got through a lengthy net session on Thursday, with Finch saying the Aussies were now "hopeful" he'll be right to bowl against the Black Caps on Saturday night.
"He had a really good solid bowl yesterday and by all reports he pulled up really well," Finch said.
"So we're hopeful to (have him available)."
Marsh's fitness at the bowling crease would represent the final piece of the puzzle for Australia after a chaotic two months leading into the tournament.
Marsh, Kane Richardson, Marcus Stoinis and Ashton Agar have all had to overcome injuries in the build up, while Finch's own form and future have been repeatedly questioned.
Australia were also handed a late headache with Josh Inglis's bizarre golf injury on Wednesday, prompting Cameron Green to be added to the extended squad to replace the back-up wicketkeeper.
Selectors took the risk of picking Green ahead of another back-up keeper after claiming there was only a "0.5 per cent" chance regular gloveman Matthew Wade will get injured.
In the event Wade is ruled out for whatever reason, David Warner looks set to take the gloves for Australia.
Aussies confident with settled starting XI
Despite the recent drama, the hosts come into their tournament opener on Saturday with a largely settled line-up that not even Sydney's expected rain is likely to change.
"Probably it's just more shuffling the batting order (if rain forces a shorter game)," Finch said.
"We have some power all through our order. You can probably map out how an opposition is going to bowl or use their resources a bit more.
"So you can try and get the match ups in your favour as much as you can. You plan for all scenarios. You have to be flexible.
"The thing about rain-affected games is how is it affected? If it's two overs, it doesn't make much difference.
"If it's a five-over games, it makes a huge difference."
"But most times you would stick with your 11 that you feel is most suited to the conditions and that opposition."
Finch brushed aside concerns around Australia's form heading into the tournament, following three losses and a draw in their last four games.
The skipper concedes his side has let matches slip at the death recently, but talked up the ability of his explosive middle order and lower-order batters to ice matches when necessary.
"I have huge amount of confidence in our No.4, 5, 6, 7 to be able to do that role," he said.
"We saw the importance of playing seven batters last World Cup and having Wadey, a seriously good batsman at No.7.
"There's not too many bases we haven't ticked off."
LIKELY AUSTRALIAN TEAM: Aaron Finch (capt), David Warner, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
with AAP
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