Bypassing IPL freshens up Marsh

After a breakthrough nine months that was bookended by his maiden first-class double century and a World Cup winners medal, Mitchell Marsh was one of several Australian players who embraced the absence of competitive cricket over the past six weeks.

Long touted as a future Test star, the third of the Marsh clan to play for Australia showed more than a glimpse of his enormous ability during his 2014-15 campaign.

Back in July, he peeled off 211 for Australia A against India A in Brisbane, just his second first-class century, and shared a record-breaking partnership with state teammate Sam Whiteman.

The following month, the allrounder showed his aptitude and versatility with the bat on Australia's ODI tour of Zimbabwe; his mature innings of 89 batting at No.3 against the hosts coming just a week before he blasted 86 from 51 balls against South Africa, which included three consecutive sixes off the bowling of Dale Steyn.

Then in October came the high point of his career so far; his Test debut against Pakistan, when he received his Baggy Green from father Geoff during an emotional ceremony in Dubai.

Marsh’s home Test debut soon followed, and while a hamstring injury in the second Test against India in Brisbane stalled his momentum, he recovered in time to take part in the successful World Cup campaign, including career-best figures of 5-33 against England at the MCG.

It was a whirlwind period for the 23-year-old, and the break from playing following the World Cup final on March 29 was exactly what he needed.

An imposing figure able to generate impressive power with both bat and ball, Marsh used the six-week hiatus to recharge his body for the daunting schedule ahead, which includes tours of the Caribbean, the UK and Bangladesh before the home summer against New Zealand, West Indies and India.

"It was obviously nice to have a break," Marsh said from Australia's training session in Antigua ahead of their warm-up match against a West Indies President's XI next week.

"It's something that I probably need; a chance after a 12-month period to get stuck into the gym and get my body strong again.

"I'm feeling really fit at the moment so hopefully I can perform.

"It was nice to have a couple of weeks off and then get back into training.

"I spent three weeks in Brisbane working on a few things with my bowling with Craig McDermott, which was great.

"And I got back to hitting a few balls and getting stuck into the gym."

Marsh's decision to have some time off following the World Cup meant he opted out of lucrative Indian Premier League for the second year in a row.

Read: Aussie IPL stars to miss West Indies opener

On the surface, it would appear to be a substantial sacrifice to make given the riches that would surely be on offer for a player whose power game is perfectly suited to Twenty20 cricket.

But Marsh's desire to solidify his spot in Australia's Test side means another opportunity in the world's biggest T20 tournament will have to wait.

"For me where my body is at and where my game's at, it was really important for me to have a break," he said.

"I'm all about trying to nail down that No.6 Test match spot and I thought not going to the IPL would give me the best chance to do that.

"Even if it doesn't come off, I know I've given it a good crack.

"My body is feeling really good at the moment so I'm in a great position to be able to launch hopefully in the Test arena.

"I certainly would look to go to the IPL in the next few years.

"Financially Michael Clarke has always said to me if you make enough Test hundreds the money will take care of itself."

Uncapped leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed will press his claims for a Test debut in Australia's tour match in Antigua

Marsh's first chance to secure the No.6 position in the Test side could come in the first Test against the Windies starting on June 3, when Australia's fifth bowler is set to play an important role on what is anticipated to be a dry surface in Dominica.

If conditions favour the slower bowlers as expected, Australia could well hand Fawad Ahmed a Test debut alongside incumbent spinner Nathan Lyon and two frontline quicks.

That would mean the allrounder in the XI - either Marsh or Shane Watson, or possibly both - would have to take on a large share of the fast-bowling workload on a slow and low surface, something that Marsh has become accustomed to early in his Test career.

His debut Test series came on spinners' wickets in the UAE, while his two Tests against India last summer - in Adelaide and Brisbane - also offered little for the quicks.

"Dubai was a tough initiation, I won't lie to you," he said.

"I think if the wickets do spin as predicted I think they'll definitely play two spinners, which gives us allrounders a chance to chip in with the ball.

"Obviously to be able to play with Shane Watson and learn as much as I can off him in these conditions. I'm looking forward to that."

Competition for places in Australia's batting line-up will be tight leading into the first Test, with six frontline batsmen in the squad along with allrounders Marsh and Watson.

Six of that group of eight will get a valuable hit out in Australia's tour match next week, with Warner and Watson to sit out to allow them to recover from their late arrival to the Caribbean.

Marsh and Watson played in the same XI for the first two Tests against India late last year, while Marsh's older brother Shaun also put his hand up for a permanent spot in the middle order with a 99 in the third Test of that series and 73 in Sydney.

Adam Voges also has a case for inclusion in the Test side for the first time after a record-breaking domestic summer with Western Australia, form that continued during his short stint with English county side Middlesex.

And the return of captain Michael Clarke to the middle order - the skipper missed three of the four Tests against India due to hamstring surgery - means players will be doing their best to impress selectors in the 10 days leading up to Australia's first Test in almost five months.