Mitchell Marsh out to change perceptions about himself
In the two Tests against Pakistan in the UAE recently, Marsh scored a total of 30 runs from four innings at No.4. But the right-hander has returned to form in the Sheffield Shield for Western Australia, and even scored a fantastic 151 against Queensland. The all-rounder is hoping to take his form into the Tests against India, starting 6 December at Adelaide.
Marsh's place in the team has been questioned at times, and the all-rounder is keen to win over his critics with strong performances.
"I'll do my best for Australian cricket and not everyone's going to agree that I'm always in the side or whatnot, but I've got a job to do for the boys," said Marsh on The Unplayable Podcast.
"I try to do that to the best of my ability, I train hard, get around the boys as much as I can and that's all I can control. Hopefully, I can perform this year and who knows, maybe I'll change a few opinions around the country."
Marsh did remedial work on his technique on his return to Australia, and feels timely tweaks and adjustments are a natural part of an international cricketer's development.
"We are not even thinking about personal performances. Just one aim, that is to win a series in Australia."
— ICC (@ICC) November 28, 2018
Ishant Sharma on India's upcoming Test series against Australia👇https://t.co/myEAxOf5hg pic.twitter.com/Q84wWpxdO7
"As an international cricketer you're always tweaking your technique, looking back on footage," he said.
"I had a good couple of hits with Scotty Meuleman, my batting coach. He picked up a few things; my eyes weren't really level at the point of release, which for me is really important being so tall. It only takes for me to fall over a little bit and I tend to get hit on the pad."
Marsh hasn't let the criticism affect his self-belief. At the same time, he is well aware that he needs to do more.
"Hopefully in Tests, it will be a different story – we've got some good pace bowlers and Nathan Lyon."
— ICC (@ICC) November 26, 2018
Alex Carey reckons Australia are capable of restraining Virat Kohli during the upcoming Test series between Australia and India.
CAREY ON KOHLI👇https://t.co/k5egWABYYk pic.twitter.com/2mGbzJqdiI
"I don’t think I've 100 per cent cemented my spot down but I feel like from where I was 12 months ago I'm a much better cricketer and I showed that last year in the Ashes and the first couple of games in South Africa," Marsh said.
"Then I had an injury and a very poor series in the UAE. I'm only ever one innings away from changing that and hopefully, I'll be able to start well against India if I get picked and go from there. I have to believe I'm the best all-rounder in the country because if I don't I'm a sitting duck."