Marsh raring to go if called in Perth Test

SYDNEY: Australia all-rounder Mitchell Marsh said he was ready to go if his improved batting in domestic cricket earned him the nod for the third Ashes Test against England that starts in Perth on Thursday.

The 26-year-old underwent shoulder surgery earlier this year and faced nine months on the sidelines but returned for Western Australia in October and scored 680 runs in all forms of cricket at an average of 68.

He has scored two centuries, a 95 and 80 in his 14 innings and is expected to be in competition with Peter Handscomb for a position in the third Test lineup.

If selected, elder brother Shaun is likely to move to number five with Mitchell slotting in at six, where his medium-pace bowling will complement the all-out pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.

It was a huge honour,” he added with a laugh. While Marsh’s improved batting had no doubt put him back in the frame, the all-rounder said his reconstructed shoulder was holding up well to the rigours of bowling.