Mitchell Marsh Recalled to Australia's Squad for the 3rd Ashes Test in Perth

Aussie all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has been recalled to the 13 member Aussie squad for the 3^rd Ashes Test scheduled to be held in Perth as the hosts look to reclaim the urn. He has been included in the squad in place of Chadd Sayers who was part of the squad with a specific viewpoint towards the Adelaide Test. As it turned out Sayers wasn’t required for the day-night Test. Australia played an unchanged XI for the first two Tests, but the batting-friendly surface in Perth has urged the selectors to name an extra pacer who can be a back up to the front line quicks including Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins.

Marsh played his last Test against India earlier in the year and required a full shoulder reconstruction after picking up an injury during the Bengaluru Test. Meanwhile, former Aussie pacer Jason Gillespie said that the 4^th bowler who will be the back-up to the main bowlers might play a pivotal role.

“I said after the first two Test matches the Australians would maybe add someone to their squad, possibly an allrounder because they’ll feel the surfaces in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney are three very good batting surfaces,” Gillespie told Optus Sport’s Stumps program.

“And the three big hairy quicks are going to need a little bit of support. So don’t be surprised if a Mitchell Marsh or that type player comes into the equation.” Marsh last donned the whites during the Test series in India earlier in the year after picking up an injury during the 2^nd Test and required a full shoulder reconstruction.

Marsh returned to bowling earlier than expected during Western Australia’s JLT Sheffield Shield game against Queensland at the WACA Ground which was the venue for the 3^rd Test starting on December 14 bagging a couple of wickets for 49 runs. He also scored a century in the match and followed it up with 95 against South Australia at the WACA in the previous round.

Former Aussie opener Chris Rogers feels that Marsh is the clear frontrunner for the last 3 Tests and could be replaced by Peter Handscomb.

“Unfortunately it’s going to be Handscomb that will be left out,” Rogers said.

“At the start of the season he was pretty secure with his spot, but just looks a little bit of colour at the moment. He doesn’t look like the game’s as simple as it should be for him. It sounds like the most simple thing in batting, but you go forward to full balls and back to short balls, but that’s not what Pete is doing at the moment, unfortunately.”