Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has been given a lifeline to reclaim his spot in the Test squad for the highly anticipated Ashes against England in 2025-26. Despite a challenging season that saw him dropped from the Test side, selectors, led by chief George Bailey, remain confident in Marsh’s abilities, signaling that his red-ball career is far from over.
Marsh, 33, was omitted from the Test team after the fourth Test against India due to a string of low scores, followed by a back injury that sidelined him for the subsequent Sri Lanka tour. His struggles with the bat were compounded by limited bowling contributions during the home summer, raising questions about his future in the longest format.
However, his retention in Cricket Australia’s central contracts list for the 2025-26 season, announced on Tuesday, reflects the faith selectors still have in his potential.
"I don’t necessarily think his red-ball career is over,” Bailey said during a press conference. “I don’t think he was scoring the runs he wanted or we wanted when we left him out of the Test side, but there’s still an incredibly exciting skill set there with the bat, the way he can rip a game open," Bailey said as quoted to the reporters.
Bailey pointed to Marsh’s proven track record against England as a key factor in his favor, noting that his aggressive style could be a game-changer against an English side known for its dynamic approach under Ben Stokes. His standout performances versus England include a maiden Test century during the 2017-18 Ashes and a match-defining 118 runs off 118 balls in the 2023 series at Headingley.
"If you look ahead to a team like England and the way they play their cricket, the way they seem to be framing up their team, I think he’s got a skill set there that could be helpful," Bailey added.
Currently playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025) for the Lucknow Super Giants, Marsh has been restricted to batting due to his ongoing recovery. His performances in the league could serve as a crucial audition for a Test recall. He is still the captain of Australia's T20I team.
"I still think he’s got an incredibly important role to play. He’s had some injury issues, and towards the back end of the summer, he was battling with his back a little bit. It’s an ongoing conversation as to where bowling may or may not fit into his international cricket going forward. At the moment, in the IPL, he’s available only as a batter."
"He’s still the captain of our T20 team and still think he can play an incredibly important role in setting that team up and hopefully leading that team to some success in the T20 World Cup. I think he’s got plenty of one-day cricket left in him as well, so I still think he’s a really valuable member of the white-ball sides," Bailey concluded.
Mitchell Johnson Weighs in on Mitchell Marsh's Potential Test Return
Marsh faces stiff competition to reclaim his spot. Cameron Green, recovering from back surgery, and emerging all-rounder Beau Webster, who impressed against India and Sri Lanka, have strengthened their cases in Marsh’s absence.
Former Australia pacer Mitchell Johnson pointed to the same, but stated that the veteran can wear the baggy green again if he still has the desire to do so.
"Beau Webster and the soon to be returning Cam Green are ahead of him at this point, but it only takes an injury or two to put Marsh back into contention if his form is good," Johnson wrote in his column for The West Australian.
"All three of Marsh’s Test centuries have come against England and he had instant impact when thrown in during the last Ashes series and the selectors won’t have forgotten that. Marsh has a lot to weigh up regarding his priorities, body and the lure of going down the white-ball specialist route in an attempt to extend his career. But I think if he really wants to play Test cricket again then he can," he added.
With the World Test Championship final against South Africa looming in June at Lord’s, Australian selectors will soon finalize the squad.
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