Marsh brothers appreciate Langer lessons

If England are seeking guidance on how to help cricketers mature they could do a lot worse than consult Justin Langer.

Langer once described the role of coach - when it comes to managing behaviour - as a mix of policeman, headmaster, parent and mate.

Mitch and Shaun Marsh are among the players to reap immense rewards from Langer's approach.

The brothers are expected to play alongside each other in the third Ashes Test which starts on Thursday as Australia seek to reclaim the urn.

It is the stuff of dreams.

Mitch Marsh was appointed WA captain by Langer this year.

The allrounder remains somewhat of a rascal but has developed on and off the field in comparison to the self-assured teen who struck Langer on the helmet in a grade game.

"He was 15 or 16 and thought it'd be quite funny to tell JL 'you should be used to that'," Shaun Marsh recalled, having been stationed in the slips.

"As soon as I heard Mitch say that I was like 'what the hell have you just done!?'.

"You could see the steam coming out of JL's ears. I remember JL looking at Mitch, then looking at me, going 'is that young punk serious?'.

"Poor old Mitchy quickly realised he probably shouldn't have said it. I made him go and apologise to JL after the game.

"He's a lot smarter now, lot more mature ... he's changed heaps."

The brothers have already had a lot of fun this week. Mitch has bowled to Shaun in the nets, reliving the 'backyard' cricket games that unfolded on the WACA hill during the career of dad Geoff.

It is a far cry from five years ago, when the pair were stood down from a Twenty20 game in South Africa after the Perth Scorchers celebrated Mitch's 21st birthday with too much gusto.

Langer was appointed coach soon after, at which point Shaun Marsh was in Sheffield Shield exile.

Neither of the Marsh brothers were ever in trouble with the law but they now appreciate the tough love dished out by a Test great renowned for his work ethic.

"I probably needed a kick up the arse when JL first took over and he's certainly helped me away from cricket," Shaun said.

"Every now and then I'd let myself down a little bit.

"Definitely there was a change of attitude in making sure I didn't leave any stone unturned, knuckled down.

"JL has certainly helped me on the field as well. He's played a significant role in my career."

The younger Marsh expressed similar sentiment this week.

"JL's been great. He cracked my head a few times, which was probably needed," Mitch said.

The Marsh brothers still enjoy a drink but are smarter when it comes to knowing the right time and place

Langer takes a view, not unlike Darren Lehmann, that celebrating success is part of the game.

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird.

England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard

Second Test Australia won by 120 runs (Day-Night). Scorecard

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21