Mitchell Marsh's historic feat sparks Cameron Green 'understudy' dilemma

Aussie cricket great Damien Martyn has called for Headingley star Mitchell Marsh to hold his position in the team for the remainder of the Ashes after his stunning century on day 1. Marsh was a late replacement for young allrounder Cameron Green for the third Ashes test.

And Marsh played like a man with nothing to lose having entered the crease with Australia reeling at 4-84. Before long, Marsh had whacked a 102-ball century. He was eventually out for 118 off 118 balls.

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The milestone came with 17 boundaries and four sixes as England had no answers for his explosive counter-attack. The allrounder, similar to what Ben Stokes did in the second test to Australia, was aggressive from the start and took the game away from the opposition.

He then performed with the ball in had when he took the wicket of Zac Crawley with a brilliant pitched-up delivery that cut away from the right-hander and caught the edge. Marsh silenced his doubters back home and blasted his way into Australian folklore with a potentially Ashes deciding century.

SEN commentator Adam White put it best when Marsh hit his single to bring up his first century in England. "The understudy becomes the star attraction, Mitchell Marsh what an innings," White said in sheer delight at the moment. "What a whirlwind 24 hours for Marsh, yesterday he wasn't even in the team."

But just like White, Marsh also admitted he is the 'understudy' in the squad. His knock drew praise from Glenn Maxwell, Mark Waugh, Trent Copeland, Virender Sehwag and Martyn. However, it was Martyn that claimed the allrounder needed to play the rest of the series after his day 1 performance.

"Maybe in the era of 'Cazball' and 'Bazball' he fits in beautifully at 6 for Australia. He has to play rest of the series now," Martyn said. Marsh admitted he could be the first person to score a century on a 'UK holiday' having come over as Green's understudy.

"There are always times when you spend a lot of time away from the game where you think that you might not get back to Test level," Marsh said. "It's taken a lot of hard work.

"I chose to have ankle surgery and miss last summer to get on this tour, knowing that I was going to be Greeny's understudy. Really proud to be able to get back in this team."

Marsh may be all class when acknowledging his position in the squad, but Green hasn't set the Ashes ablaze just yet. Despite some brilliant fielding, he has taken three wickets and has a top score of 38 runs across the four innings.

And after just one day of cricket in England so far for Marsh, Martyn won't be the only one questioning whether the 31-year-old Western Australia star should retain his spot for the remainder of the Ashes.

Mitchell Marsh in 121-year Ashes first

Mitchell Marsh famously said, "Most of Australia hate me," when selected in 2019 after a lean run of form in the team. The tide turned after his candid interview with fans wanting the best for the larrikin.

And Marsh has all but silenced all his doubters after his latest innings, which could help Australia win an Ashes series for the first time in England since 2001.

The 31-year-old became the fastest Australian player to score a century on England soil since Victor Trumper did it in 95 balls back in 1902.

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