Marsh’s star continues to rise

Mitch Marsh’s star continues to rise at a rapid pace, with his Oppo Champions League Twenty20 heroics the latest sign that the talented allrounder is becoming the player many hoped he would develop into.

And with news Shane Watson has been ruled out of Australia’s VB tour of the UAE against Pakistan, Marsh’s recent form will now likely be recognised with the ultimate acknowledgment – a Baggy Green Test cap.

Last night, with Perth Scorchers needing 12 runs off the final two balls in Mohali, Marsh launched both deliveries over the rope to hand the reigning KFC T20 Big Bash League champions a six-wicket victory against the Dolphins.

“We’ve had a big focus as a whole squad throughout the batting innings to have a clear mind and back ourselves,” Marsh said following his match-winning 40no off 26 balls.

“That’s what myself and my batting partners were talking about the whole time.

“Nothing changed those last two balls. I just knew I had to swing as hard as I could and watch the ball.”

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After skipping the IPL earlier this year to make the most of some time away from the game, Marsh has put his talent out there for all to see in the past three months with a string of dominant performances at home and abroad.

The 22-year-old starred during the Australia A tour in July, highlighted by a first-class double-century against India A and a five-fer in the one-day quad series.

Those performances helped Marsh earn selection for the ODI tri-series against South Africa and Zimbabawe in Harare, where the Western Australian struck two blazing half-centuries to finish the series with 222 runs at an average of 55.50.

Marsh was then included in all three squads for Australia’s VB Tour of the UAE against Pakistan, leading some to suggest he is ready to take on the role as the nation’s No.1 allrounder.

Watson, the man Marsh looks set to replace as Australia’s Test allrounder, heaped praise on Marsh in September after the latter inspired a ODI win over the Proteas in Zimbabwe.

“He (Marsh) improved a lot in the last three months because he’s played the recent (Australia) A series and he’s been able to put some quality cricket together,” Watson continued.

“He’s gained more confidence in his body so his pace is up, and he’s tall so he gets bounce as well.”

“It was extremely impressive to see the way he batted (in Zimbabwe) but that’s just what he does.

“It’s what he’s done since he came onto the first-class scene and when he played his first Twenty20 (international) at Wanderers (in 2011).

“He hits big sixes against high quality bowlers, and to be able to do that against Dale Steyn, to take him down in that over was incredible.”

Another player who agrees Marsh has what it takes to become a dominant force in world cricket is Warriors and Scorchers teammate, Nathan Coulter-Nile.

“There’s no reason Mitch can’t be the No.1 allrounder,” Coulter-Nile told cricket.com.au.

“I think Watto has performed well in that spot for a long period of time ... Mitch realises that and knows he has to keep performing and the spot is there for him if he does all the right things."

Describing him as the “ideal cricketer”, Coulter-Nile believes the biggest change in Marsh’s game has come from a better understanding of his own capabilities.

“He’s the kind of bloke that fits in everywhere,” said Coulter-Nile, who missed out on Perth’s CLT20 opener as he continues his comeback from injury.

“He’s a good bloke to have around on and off the field and he can do any role for you on the field.

“He’s worked out his game a lot better, so he knows his strengths and weaknesses a lot more than he did before, so I think that goes a long way to scoring runs and I’m sure he’ll work out his bowling the more he does it.”

Despite all the attention being directed his way, Marsh recently played down his prospects of being Australia’s No.1 allrounder.

"I'm excited about what's to come. If I get a crack in Dubai, hopefully I can take my opportunity,” Marsh said.