Mitchell Marsh unsure about future as Australia Test vice-captain

The Western Australia allrounder had been named as a vice-captain along with Josh Hazlewood in October. However, he was not selected for the first Test between Australia and India.

Mitchell Marsh was absent from the Australia side that lost to India on Monday in the first Test of their five-match series.

The Western Australia allrounder had been named as a vice-captain along with Josh Hazlewood before their series against Pakistan in the UAE back in October. However, his form with the bat had not been good enough to secure a place in the side, and he is unsure how that has affected his role as vice-captain.

“I don't know where I stand in that sense," he explained. "Lucky we've got two vice-captains.

“I was obviously very disappointed to miss out in the first Test but I understood the reasons why. Ultimately, you've got two ways to go about it – you can either sulk and go into your shell or you can put a smile on your face and enjoy the hard work, enjoy the challenge of getting back into that Test side. Every Test match you miss out on - it's shattering.”

Marsh looked to have finally sealed his place in the Australia Test side after two centuries against England during the Ashes, but a run of 11 innings where he has averaged just 10 saw the doubts come quickly back.

^{Mitchell Marsh scored two centuries during the Ashes against England}

"The message was clear – I needed more runs. I still felt like I was in really good form and feeling very confident heading into last week.

“But ultimately I still had two chances (in the Sheffield Shield) before the Test match to put a big score on the board and I didn't do that.

With the Big Bash about to start, Marsh reckons that if he performs for the Perth Scorchers, then he could see his chances improve, but he still has hopes to get picked for the second Test at Perth.

^{Marsh will be captaining the Perth Scorchers during the Big Bash}

"JL (Justin Langer) always goes on about how runs are runs no matter what format you're in," he remarked. "If you're in form and making runs, it doesn't matter.

“I was certainly pumped about (playing in Perth) and I still am.

"I'm in the squad so I'd say I'm a chance … ultimately it'll come down to conditions and how the bowlers pull up. If the opportunity arises, it would be amazing, but if not I'm still going to be around the squad.

"I'll be running drinks as hard as I can for the boys and getting around them and enjoying the Perth Stadium atmosphere."