I really feel sorry for young Mitchell Marsh. I love his passion, I love his work ethic. I admire the fact that he has taken on the added responsibility of becoming the captain of Western Australia. I love that success and failure MEANS something to him. I really like HIM as a person and cricketer.
However, the kid has been a lamb to the slaughter since his Test debut.
There are all manner of excuses as to why the young bloke hasn't yet blossomed as a Test all-rounder of high quality. Unfortunately there must surely come a time where the numbers must count for something. In my opinion, those numbers should have been taken into account before this Test match. Mitch has made only two half-centuries in thirty five innings, and averages 21.74 with the bat. With the ball, he has taken 29 wickets at cost of 37.48 per wicket.
I desperately want the man to succeed but I sadly can't see it. For that, the Australian selectors must take a large amount of blame. He has been repeatedly set up to fail. Mitchell Marsh has become an object of mockery. The poor bastard shouldn't be playing Test cricket until his batting is good enough to warrant consistent selection.
I hope he makes me look a fool when it's his turn to bat in this Test. Given the way England have started, runs from our No. 6 batsman will be needed.