Western Australia coach Adam Voges says he will weigh up opening the batting with Mitch Marsh after confirming the star allrounder’s return to Sheffield Shield cricket against Victoria this week.
The 34-year-old has not played a red-ball match since being dropped from the Australian side after last summer’s Boxing Day Test against India.
However, he has been floated as an option at the top of the order for the Test side in a move that would fight England’s Bazball with fire after a stunning run of form in white-ball cricket.
And the discussion around who should open for Australia has only intensified after Usman Khawaja failed to take his position in either innings at Optus Stadium due to suffering back spasms while fielding in the slips, and Travis Head clattering a remarkable century in a session to win the Test, playing a similar brand of cricket to Marsh.
The West Aussie will feature in a One-Day Cup clash as well on Tuesday and Voges says he could break up the State’s long-term shield opening partnership of Cameron Bancroft and skipper Sam Whiteman in a bid to aid Marsh’s Test hopes.
“I think the ongoing discussions from our side of things is where does he fit,” he said.
“I know there’s been a lot of talk around Mitch and his potential involvement in the Ashes, but I think we’re just really pleased to have him in WA colours this week for the One-Day Cup and then the shield game afterwards.
“I’d love to see him score a hundred for WA this week and really push that (Test) case. Let’s see how this week goes, and hopefully, we’ll be talking a little bit more about him at the end of this trip.
“So, we’ll continue to work through (where he bats) over the next couple of days. We’ve got some ideas, but we’ll just thrash them out.
“Whiteman, Bancroft has been a solid opening partnership for a long period of time, so whether we want to break that up or not, we’ll work through.
“But anytime you welcome Mitch Marsh back into your side, everyone walks a little taller, so we’re excited to have him.”
Voges added there had been no input from Cricket Australia on what they wanted Marsh to do.
“No advice, no restrictions. He’s good to go,” he said.
This week’s trip to Melbourne is shaping as make-or-break for Voge’s final domestic season at the helm, WA needing victories in both games to stay in the finals race.
Only Victoria sits below them in the One-Day Cup, but the Vics sit well clear on top of the shield table with only one defeat from their five clashes.
WA will be boosted by the returns of Cooper Connolly, Ashton Turner, Joel Paris and Brody Couch alongside Marsh for the one-day match.
“Our one-day form has been indifferent, but with some really strong inclusions for this game and then our Sheffield Shield, I think we’ve shown glimpses (of form),” Voges said.
“Ashton Turner, to have our captain back is really important.
“I think we understand the importance of this week and its context in the season. So, really looking forward to getting to Melbourne and hopefully the weather is okay for us.”
Bryce Jackson and Matt Kelly miss the match through injuries, while Bancroft, Sam Fanning and Corey Rocchiccioli have been omitted from the white-ball squad.
