How do Australia fit Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green into the same team?
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It’s a good and unexpected problem for Australia to have. Prior to this series, Marsh hadn’t played a Test since the final match of the 2019 Ashes while Green was firmly ensconced in the XI as Australia’s seam-bowling all-rounder.
Marsh was handed a rare opportunity in the Leeds Test match after Green picked up a low-grade hamstring tear in the build up to the game. In his first Test appearance in four years, Marsh slammed a sensational first-innings 118 in a total of just 263. He is now undroppable and with Green likely to be fit for the next Test at Old Trafford, how do Australia squeeze both all-rounders in the side? Here some of the routes Australia could go down to get both into the XI:
Drop Warner
Four Test matches into Australia’s tour of England, David Warner averages 23.12 with one fifty. He has fallen to his long-time nemesis Stuart Broad three times already this Ashes, and looked particularly vulnerable to him at Headingley, where he was caught in the slip cordon off Broad in both innings.
If Warner is left out, there are several potential candidates to open the batting in his place. Travis Head opened on Australia’s tour of India earlier in 2023, while Marsh has recently opened for the ODI side. Green has experience opening in T20 cricket, and has a resolute defensive game that may lend itself well to facing the new ball.
Another option is Marnus Labuschagne who, by batting three at the moment, is used to fronting up to the new ball. However, he has experienced a downturn in form himself, so now may not the most appropriate time for a promotion. There are numerous options to replace Warner up top, but none are ideal.
Leave Murphy out
An unlikely option given the location of the next two Tests and the fact that Australia have fielded a spinner for more than 100 Tests in a row, but Pat Cummins was late to bring Todd Murphy on in both innings at Headingley.
Australia also have three decent part-time spin options in Head, Labuschagne and Steve Smith. But an attack of five seam bowlers, four of whom will be right-arm, will be lacking in variety.
Green and Marsh combine to become the third seamer
A slightly more left-field option would be for Green and Marsh to essentially share the role of third seamer. Green will come in for Scott Boland, who has had a quiet series so far. The move will significantly bolster Australia’s lower order with one of Green, Marsh or Alex Carey batting at eight.
Leave out Green
This will be the simplest way to solve the problem. Green has been an essential component of the Australia side that has risen to the top of the Test game, but has had the propensity to get bogged down with the bat this series and has not looked 100 per cent with the ball.
Even if he is left out, there is no doubt that he will continue to play a pivotal role for Australia in years to come… but should he be in their XI now? Not necessarily.
