Australia all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has declared himself fit for the second Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide starting December 6.
After losing the Perth Test by 295 runs, Australia dealt with a huge blow: their senior fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was ruled out of the pink-ball Test in Adelaide due to a side strain.
That was not the fitness concern for the hosts as all-rounder Mitchell Marsh pulled up sore after bowling 17 overs during the loss – the most he has done so since 2019. As a cover for Marsh, Australia added uncapped Tasmania all-rounder Beau Webster to their squad.
Marsh "good to go" in Adelaide Test
Marsh arrived in Adelaide on Monday to join the Test team. When asked about his participation in the day-night match, the Western Australia all-rounder declared himself fit.
Here's how his conversation regarding his fitness with a Nine News reporter panned out:
Reporter: "How’s the body feeling obviously a lot of interest around you and how you’re travelling?"
Marsh: "The body’s all good, yep."
Reporter: "Andrew McDonald said you had some niggles, are you concerned about whether you’re gonna play or are you 100%?"
Marsh: "Nah nah, I’m good to go."
Reporter: "See you there on Friday?"
Marsh: "Yep, I’ll be there."
Mitch Marsh has just jetted into Adelaide joining the rest of the Aussie squad ahead of Friday’s Second Test.
— Braden Ingram (@bradeningram) December 2, 2024
The all-rounder has been dealing with soreness: I asked him whether he’ll play…@9NewsAdel @9NewsAUS @wwos pic.twitter.com/JL2LDkgruZ
Marsh, who scored 47 off 67 balls in Perth, is the only Australian batter other than Travis Head (89) to put up a score of substance. He has also been one of Australia’s best batters in the last two years, scoring 803 runs at 44.61 from 11 Tests, including a breathtaking century on his comeback during the Ashes last year.
He has suffered from a recurring ankle injury and had to undergo surgery, ruling him out from part of the 2022-23 summer. Since then, his role in the side has been largely as a specialist batter.
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