Red-hot Marsh to boost WA in crucial one-day clash

Mitch Marsh is set for a rare state appearance this week with Australia's white-ball opener to turn out for Western Australia in the One-Day Cup.

Fresh off a standout ODI tour of southern Africa that had him on the cusp of a return to the Test squad, Australia's men's T20 skipper has been named in WA's 12-player squad to face Queensland at the WACA Ground on Tuesday.

Marsh's inclusion is a welcome boost for WA, who are still on the hunt for their first win in their season's 50-over competition.

Marsh last played for Western Australia in December last year, featuring in one-day and Sheffield Shield matches against Victoria in Melbourne.

The 34-year-old has since retired from domestic first-class cricket but remains available for Test selection. He also continues to play domestically for Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League, scoring 360 runs last season to help the club to their sixth men's title.

Marsh, who is soon expecting a second child with wife Greta, returns to state colours in strong form.

He was Australia's best with the bat during six 50-over internationals against Zimbabwe and South Africa last month, hitting four half-centuries in six innings and averaging almost 50 for the tour (297 runs).

National selection chair George Bailey previously revealed the right-hander's hot streak had him in contention for a Test comeback against the Proteas had he not committed to heading home after the ODIs for paternity leave.

"Pat said the door's open – and it's open," Marsh told reporters after the 2-1 ODI series loss to South Africa. "I don't think I'll ever be good enough to retire from Test cricket."

Marsh's next international assignment will be November's home series against England featuring three ODIs and five T20 internationals as Australia continue their planning for a return to Africa next year for the 50-over World Cup.

WA were hit by injuries during their thrilling two-wicket win over the Bulls in the opening round of the Shield season with Sam Fanning (hamstring) and Cameron Bancroft (illness) unavailable for the one-day fixture.

Sam Whiteman, who replaced an ill Tom Murray on day two of the Shield match, returns to WA's 50-over squad after missing their first two matches.

"After the two one-dayers and the first two days of (the Shield match), we (needed) some positivity and Joel Paris and Jhye Richardson came out and pretty much won us the game on day three," WA red-ball captain Aaron Hardie said.

"Hopefully that gets the ball rolling moving forward."

WA squad: Ashton Turner (c), Ashton Agar, Hilton Cartwright, Brody Couch, Joel Curtis, Kieran Elliott, Albert Esterhuysen, Liam Haskett, Will Malajczuk, Mitch Marsh, Jordan Quiggin, Sam Whiteman

 

Ins: Mitch Marsh, Sam Whiteman

 

Outs: Cameron Bancroft (illness), Mahli Beardman (Australia A), Sam Fanning (hamstring), Jayden Goodwin (omitted)