Alex Carey: The Australian wicket-keeper batsman was left out of the third T20I in Southampton after a couple of single-digit scores.
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Australia white-ball captain Aaron Finch has all but confirmed a spot for all-rounder Mitchell Marsh in Australia’s Playing XI for the first ODI against England in Manchester tomorrow.
Marsh, 28, was declared the ‘Man of the Match’ in the third T20I in Southampton on Tuesday for his match-winning 39* (36) inclusive of two fours and a six.
Finch admitted being guilty of shuffling Marsh up and down the order in ODIs. Laying emphasis on Marsh’s improvements, Finch sounded praiseworthy of his player’s almost decade-long experience at the highest level.
“If you look at Mitch’s [Mitchell Marsh] one-day record, he averages 35 [34.97] with the bat and 36 [36.17] with the ball. We’re probably been guilty of shuffling him around to try and fit some different pieces in there at different points,” Finch told reporters in Manchester.
“In that middle-order position, it’s never easy to have a real high output of runs, and if you’re that fourth or fifth bowler to have a huge impact with the ball. But I think he’s got a great opportunity over the next couple of years to cement that spot.
“The parts of his game where [it’s] been identified he needs to improve, he’s made some great changes. I’ve no doubt the most consistent Mitch Marsh will be on show [in the first ODI]. So, having that experience over the last 40 [57] games or so will give him that flexibility and freedom to understand his game,” Finch added.
Having last played ODI cricket against England at home in 2018, Marsh was recalled into the side for the tour of South Africa earlier this year. The right-hand batsman was also part of the Australian XI which played against New Zealand behind closed doors in Sydney before the COVID-19 lockdown.
Will Alex Carey keep wicket for Australia in Old Trafford ODI?
Another change which Australia made in the third T20I was include Matthew Wade in place of Alex Carey. Despite hitting a colossal six off England spearhead Jofra Archer during his brief stay, Wade will again be seen warming the bench in the first ODI.
“Alex [Carey] will have the gloves. He’s played some really good one-day cricket and he’s played some really high-pressure knocks for us as well and we see him being a huge asset to that middle-order,” Finch said about the wicket-keeper’s position.
