The pre-play warm-ups before the start of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston today (June 16) sparked a frenzy of rumours online, with indications that two of Australia’s pace trio would miss out on selection.

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Mitchell Marsh marked out his run up as the Australia bowlers warmed up for the morning session, with Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc scarcely seen out in the middle. Both Hazlewood and Starc were expected to be named in Australia’s side, with Hazlewood having been rested from the World Test Championship final.

If Marsh was selected to play alongside Pat Cummins and Scott Boland, there would be no room for the two senior pacers in the side. Picking Marsh would have elongated Australia’s batting line up, bolstering what without Starc could be a long tail.

Marsh has not played a Test match since 2019 and his selection would have been  a surprise given Australia’s tried and tested balance of their side. Their three quick, one spinner approach with Cameron Green as the all-rounder has been their go to outside of sub-continental conditions.

After causing excitement at the ground and online for half an hour, however, Hazlewood emerged to also mark his run-up and Marsh moved to kicking a football around with the rest of the non-playing squad. At the toss, Cummins announced that while Hazlewood would play and that Starc had missed out. Boland retained his place in the XI to make up the rest of the quick bowlers.

Marsh’s wait for a Test return continues.

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