AUS vs IND 2024-25: Mitchell Marsh cleared to bowl in Perth Test. (Source – Getty Images)
Australia all-rounder Mitchell Marsh is expected to bowl in the first Test against India in Perth, starting November 22. The 33-year-old barely bowled in 2024, having been injured early on and later, he didn’t bowl in the couple of Sheffield Shield games he played. With Cameron Green ruled out of the series, the hosts need bowling options to reduce the workload of the three frontline pacers. Speaking on the same, captain Pat Cummins confirmed that Marsh will be bowling in the Perth Test.
The skipper stated that he expects Marsh to bowl a few spells and noted that the he is eager to share the responsibility. Apart from Marsh, Australia have Marnus Labuschagne, who is eager to bowl in the upcoming five-match series and has been practising hard for it.
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“He’ll definitely bowl this Test – well, he’s definitely available to bowl. He’s an all-rounder. With the way us four bowlers are set out, we never really budget an all-rounder bowling heaps. So I would imagine (Marsh bowls) a few spells each innings or something like that. But he’s ready to go. He’s been bowling really well this week. His body’s great, the best it’s been for a while. He’s ready to go and happy to bowl as much as we need,” Cummins said in the press conference.
Labuschagne is always trying to impress with the ball: Pat Cummins
Cummins is also impressed by Labuschagne’s dedication to bowling in Test cricket. The pacer highlighted his performance with the cherry for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield and that, he can bowl handy spin as well whenever required. He also mentioned that Labuschagne will be tried at some point in the series.
“He’s always trying to impress with the ball, which is great. He loves bowling. He’s bowled some handy overs for Queensland. Obviously, he’s got leg spin, bowled a bit of off spin in the past, and then this year it’s been onto pace bowling. So yeah, I’m sure he’ll get the ball at some stage. And he’s been bowling quite a few bouncers as well. So that’s maybe something we’ll turn to at some point,” Cummins said.