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Test great's brutal reality check for Mitch Marsh

Australian Test cricket legend Geoff Lawson has taken a massive swipe at Mitch Marsh, claiming there is no way the allrounder should be picked for Australia.

The younger of the Marsh brothers, 27-year-old Mitch is one of several players vying for a spot in the Aussie XI for the four-Test series against India, starting Thursday in Adelaide.

He’s thought to be favourite to land the allrounder’s role within the Aussie side but Lawson, who played 46 Tests for the green and gold, believes selectors should look elsewhere.

“Given the 14 they’ve named, Peter Siddle and Chris Tremain are the extra fast bowlers … they are not going to get a run at the moment. The other person I would leave out is Mitchell Marsh,” Lawson told Fox Sports.

“I want Travis Head to play at home in Adelaide. He’s a young guy who has played a few Test matches, he’s on the way up.

Marsh’s place in the Test XI has been called into question. Pic: Getty
Marsh’s place in the Test XI has been called into question. Pic: Getty

“Mitchell Marsh has had his opportunity. He’s averaging 26 over 30 odd Test matches, he’s hardly bowling at all.

“He’s not providing the all-rounder values. There is no way I’m playing Mitch Marsh.”

Lawson’s brutal view is somewhat justified by Marsh’s figures, with the West Australian averaging 26.08 with the bat and 42.45 with the ball – taking 35 wickets in 30 Tests.

Head is thought to be vying with Peter Handscomb for the final spot in Australia’s batting attack but Lawson would prefer they both play.

“I’m happy to play Travis Head because he is a specialist batsman,” Lawson said.

“Aaron Finch will be opening, then we’ll have Marcus Harris who has earned his spot in the team through Sheffield Shield performances.

Lawson wouldn’t have Mitch Marsh in his Test XI. Pic: Getty
Lawson wouldn’t have Mitch Marsh in his Test XI. Pic: Getty

“That’s the way it always used to be done so it’s nice to see someone doing that.”

Hazlewood eager for Adelaide red ball first

Josh Hazlewood is relishing the prospect of his first red-ball Test at Adelaide Oval, an occasion the paceman almost certainly would never have enjoyed if not for India’s reluctance.

Hazlewood made his debut during India’s previous Test tour of Australia in 2014/15.

The 27-year-old has since become one of the first players picked in Australia’s XI, snaring 151 wickets at 26.84 from 40 Tests.

Adelaide Oval has proven a remarkably happy hunting ground during that stretch.

Hazlewood has captured 18 wickets at 19.44 from three Tests in South Australia, with the highlight being a career-best match haul of 9-136 in the inaugural day-night Test.

Those games have all been played under lights as per Cricket Australia’s wish to make Adelaide Oval the home of day-night Test cricket.

But this year, CA was unable to convince the powerful Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to adopt the innovation.

Hazlewood is yet to play a red-ball Test in Adelaide. Pic: Getty
Hazlewood is yet to play a red-ball Test in Adelaide. Pic: Getty

“I don’t think I’ve played a red-ball game here in quite a while,” Hazlewood told reporters in Adelaide.

“The wicket will play pretty similar, hopefully the red ball stays harder for a touch longer and we can get that nice carry and bounce.

“The day-night Test can swing around pretty quickly (here) if you have a new ball at night, so I guess this one is going to be a bit more even over the course of the day.

“We’ll see how it goes … I’m actually looking forward to getting a red ball on this wicket. There’s always a nice coverage of grass.”

Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins’ workloads will be carefully monitored this summer but the right-armer is confident they’ll play all four Tests against India.

“Four in a month is tough going, it all depends how much you bowl during the games,” vice-captain Hazlewood said.

“Maybe Adelaide and Perth will have the most in the wickets out of the four tracks. If you get a light innings here or there it pays dividends later in the summer. We’re confident.”

With AAP