Mitch Marsh problem that causes huge complication amid Cameron Green injury drama ahead of Tests
Marsh's bowling workload is a major consideration for Australian selectors.
Mitch Marsh's bowling workload is set to play a crucial role in how Australian selectors navigate the Cameron Green selection dilemma. There are conflicting reports circling around whether or not Green will be fit for the Aussie summer of cricket.
The Age reported on Wednesday that Australian selectors had been planning for life without Green as he had been dealing with a serious back injury, however have since been made aware that he is available solely as a batter and potentially could return to his bowling workload later in the Aussie summer. But on Thursday reports emerged that the star allrounder may require imminent surgery on the stress fracture in his back, which would rule him out completely.
Regardless, it is almost certain he will not bowl against India for at least the first part of this summer, and may not figure in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at all. That in itself leaves Aussie selectors with several headaches ahead of Australia's first Test against India starting November 22 in Perth.
Green's injury could theoretically open the door for Australia to bring a specialist opener back into the side, allowing Steve Smith to drop back to No.4 as planned. Marcus Harris, Matt Renshaw or Cameron Bancroft are all once again in contention for that spot, with Harris making an early case to be Usman Khawaja's opening partner after starting the Sheffield Shield with a dominant century.
Aussies can't overload Mitch Marsh's bowling
And while that is seen as the most likely option, selecting a specialist opener would likely place a heavy reliance on Marsh and his 32-year-old body. Australian captain Pat Cummins previously stated in August that it is vital to have several bowling options against India due to their ability to bat for extended periods. And it could lead to Aussie selectors opting to replace Green with a fellow all-rounder, which could see Aaron Hardie, Michael Neser or Beau Webster come in.
Hardie would be the most likely of the trio, despite the West Australian missing the opening round of the Shield season with a minor quad injury. He is expected to return for WA's next game against Tasmania on October 20.
Tasmania's Webster could also be a dark horse for an Australian Test call-up as the Shield's leading run-scorer last summer and also taking 30 wickets at 29.30. While Neser has averaged 36.25 with the bat in recent seasons, despite previously being viewed as a bowling all-rounder at Test level.
Why Australia might opt for another all-rounder
Green and Marsh only averaged five overs each per Test last summer but even before Green's injury those numbers were expected to drastically increase against India. And with Green unable to bowl at least to begin the summer, Marsh will likely need to get through more work with the ball than he is used to, something Cummins pointed out prior to Green's injury blow.
"We haven't had to use them as much as we thought we would, which is a great thing," Cummins said in August. "The last couple of summers have been pretty light, quick Test matches. I suspect this summer might be a bit different at times. We'll be drawing on Cam Green and Mitch Marsh a bit more."
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Marsh has only bowled more than 10 overs in a Test match once since his return in last year's Ashes. He has also only bowled 21 overs in 40 white-ball matches during that time while spending time playing as a batter due to fitness concerns. And while Nathan Lyon can work through long spells, the lack of a fifth bowler could place extra pressure on the team's aging pace attack and could see the selectors go with an all-rounder instead of an opener, with either Smith remaining at the top of the order or with Travis Head shifting up to partner Khawaja.
with AAP
