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Marsh determined to retain ‘all-rounder’ status

Mitch Marsh has no interest in shelving the allrounder tag as he seeks to hold on to his spot in Australia’s Test side.

Oct 31, 2016, updated Oct 31, 2016
Mitch Marsh has been handy with the ball, but is yet to make his mark with the bat at Test level. Photo: Dave Hunt / AAP

Mitch Marsh has been handy with the ball, but is yet to make his mark with the bat at Test level. Photo: Dave Hunt / AAP

Marsh started his Test career as a powerful batsman capable of delivering serviceable medium pace.

The 25-year-old has only passed 50 twice in 29 Test digs but his bowling has improved over the past two years.

The West Australian has tested national selectors’ patience during that stretch, having dislodged Shane Watson from the Test XI during the 2015 Ashes.

Marsh’s best role in the side is still a matter of debate.

There have been suggestions he could prosper as a third seamer and bat further down the order, while WA coach Justin Langer believes he has the potential to bat as high as No.4.

Marsh, who could be dropped in favour of Moises Henriques if has a lean summer, wants to continue working hard on both disciplines

“I certainly want to remain an allrounder,” Marsh said in Perth, where Australia’s first Test against South Africa starts on Thursday.

“I bat at six. But if that did come up (batting further down the order) I’d be happy to do it.

“I feel like my bowling’s improved a lot over the last 18 months … I’ve had a few occasions where blokes have gone down and I’ve had to step up to the third seamer role.

“I’ve done it before but I really enjoy batting at No. 6 and want to stay there as long as I can.”

Marsh struggled for runs and wickets in WA’s Sheffield Shield opener at the WACA, with national chairman of selectors Rod Marsh noting “he needs to bowl well and bat well, unfortunately in the Shield game he did neither”.

Mitch Marsh is confident he will bowl a lot better against the Proteas at the same ground.

“The biggest thing at the WACA is to remain patient as a bowler. I probably went searching for a few too many wickets and that’s when you leak runs at the WACA,” he said.

“You learn something new every time you play and hopefully I’ll be better for it next week.”

-AAP

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