NEWS
Follow UsMitchell Marsh has backed out-of-form Steven Smith to come good in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Brisbane, starting December 14 (Saturday). Smith has struggled to get going with the bat this year, having scored 232 runs in 13 innings at an average of 23.2.
The right-hander didn’t do well as an opener and was pushed down to his favourite No.4 spot ahead of the five-match series against India. However, that hasn’t made any difference so far, with Smith managing only 19 runs @ 6.33 in the first two Tests.
"We know he's one of our best players ever and I'm certainly backing him to get some runs. I'm probably not in a position to tell Steve Smith what he should work on. We know he's a class player, and he's scored a lot of runs for Australia, and we know at times when we've needed him, he always seems to step up,” said Marsh.
Australia lost the first Test by 295 runs but made a resounding comeback in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, defeating Rohit Sharma and Co. by 10 wickets. Marsh said the team is eager to take a 2-1 lead in the series and wants to do that by applying some pressure on Jasprit Bumrah. In two Tests, the ace paceman has claimed 12 wickets at an average of 11.25.
"The biggest thing for us i just focusing on this week and not what's happened in the past. The way we bounced back from Perth was an example of that. We're really focused on playing our style this week and hopefully going 2-1 up the series," said Marsh.
"We know right now he's [Bumrah] probably the best bowler in the world. It's just about getting up for that challenge, it's a big series. You want to take the best in the world on. That is certainly my mentality. Looking forward to facing him again.
"I think each batter has their own plans. As a batting unit, we back each other's plans. I think when you have the best bowler in the world and you are just trying to see him off, he is going to have one with your name on it. I think it is about applying pressure with your own method and taking the challenge on.”
Marsh only bowled four overs in the second Test but said he is ready to bowl whenever skipper Pat Cummins wants him to. "We had a really clear plan before the series started. I didn't bowl as much as I would have liked to in the lead-up to the series, but our medical staff and Ronnie and Patty [Cummins] were really clear on my lead-up. I trusted that. I haven't had to bowl too much so far, but my body is feeling really good.
"I'll try and be ready to bowl as much as Patty needs me. Our all-rounders haven't bowled a hell of a lot in Australia the last few years, but I am really thankful for our medical staff and Ronny and Patty, who have allowed me the space between that first and second Test to just get right for the game.
"I guess there was a fair bit of noise about it. I felt rather important, actually, but my body feels really good. I had an interrupted lead-in, but I am really well placed. For me it is about being able to contribute. Whether that is five overs and bowling the occasional good ball and getting a wicket or just bowling overs to give our boys a chop out, I love it.”
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