Marsh out to change opinions in new spot

Test allrounder Mitchell Marsh hopes to change negative opinions this summer by scoring plenty of runs with a tweaked technique. 

Marsh was named in Australia's 14-man squad for the first two Domain Tests against India, and given he is the sole allrounder in the squad to face a powerful touring batting line-up, the 27-year-old looks certain to play in the opening match in Adelaide from December 6.

While he concedes he'll likely return to No.6 in the batting order after failing to take his chance at second-drop in the UAE last month, Marsh is hoping to silence the constant criticism that surrounds his position in the side.

Former Australia fast bowler Geoff Lawson called Marsh and brother Shaun "perpetual disappointments" and the right-hander's selection in the national side throughout his career has been divisive on social media, to say the least. 

But Marsh can see only see positives in the feedback that comes his way and hopes to reverse any unfavourable sentiment against Virat Kohli's charges. 

"I love the fact that Australians are so passionate about sport," Marsh said on the latest episode of The Unplayable Podcast.

"The world we live in now, with social media, everyone gets to have an opinion and a lot of people see those opinions. It's very easy for that to grow around the country. 

"Ultimately, I'll do my best for Australian cricket and not everyone's going to agree that I'm always in the side or whatnot, but I've got a job to do for the boys.

"I try to do that to the best of my ability, I train hard, get around the boys as much as I can and that's all I can control. 

"Hopefully I can perform this year and who knows, maybe I'll change a few opinions around the country."

Marsh was in prime form last summer with two Ashes centuries and a 96 in the first Test against South Africa in Durban back in March. 

But in his past 11 innings he's failed to pass 50, culminating in a horror tour of the UAE where he averaged 7.5 in four knocks.

He returned to Australia a shattered man but got right to work fixing his batting technique and adjusting it to home conditions.

The changes paid immediate dividends with a score of 151 for Western Australia against Queensland in the JLT Sheffield Shield in his first innings since the UAE tour.

"As an international cricketer you're always tweaking your technique, looking back on footage," he said.

"I had a good couple of hits with Scotty Meuleman, my batting coach. He picked up a few things; my eyes weren't really level at the point of release, which for me is really important being so tall. 

"It only takes for me to fall over a little bit and I tend to get hit on the pad. 

"I went over to Brisbane and I was able to rectify that and it was really nice to come back and get a big hundred. My spot in the team, there's always a lot of chat and talk about it, so the only way for me to put that to the side is by making lots of runs in Shield cricket and playing well."

Marsh has played in Australia's past nine Tests, but indifferent returns in the past two series has the allrounder realistic about his place in the Test XI.

The belief is there, however, and Marsh says if it wasn't he'd be a "sitting duck".

"I don’t think I've 100 per cent cemented my spot down but I feel like from where I was 12 months ago I'm a much better cricketer and I showed that last year in the Ashes and the first couple of games in South Africa," Marsh said. 

"Then I had an injury and a very poor series in the UAE. I'm only ever one innings away from changing that and hopefully I'll be able to start well against India if I get picked and go from there. 

"I have to believe I'm the best allrounder in the country because if I don't I'm a sitting duck. 

"I'll continue to believe that, I'll continue to train hard and hopefully it all comes off for me."

As for where Marsh will bat should he be selected, he knows his days at No.4 are over for now. 

"I enjoyed the opportunity, but I didn't take it," he said. 

"I would imagine if I play I'll be at No.6. When I first started playing cricket I used to hate batting at No.6 because I was young and wanted to bat at No.4. 

"But the more I've played at No.6 I've learned to really love that role. 

"If you bowl a fair few overs as an allrounder you get a bit more of a break and the situation of the game is always changing. 

"You always find yourself in different situations, you can come in when the team's in a bit of trouble or sometimes you come out at 4-300 and get to have a bit of fun. 

"I've grown to love that role and I think I'm best suited to No.6 in the Test team."

Domain Test Series v India

Dec 6-10: First Test, Adelaide Oval

Dec 14-18: Second Test, Perth Stadium

Dec 26-30: Third Test, MCG

Jan 3-7: Fourth Test, SCG

Australia squad: Tim Paine (c, wk), Josh Hazlewood (vc), Mitch Marsh (vc), Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Chris Tremain

India squad: Virat Kohli (c), Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Prithvi Shaw, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant (wk), Parthiv Patel (wk), Ravi Ashwin, Ravi Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar