Marsh ready to step up pace workload

Mitch Marsh is yet to hit his straps with the ball but is ready to step up his duties should Australia opt to change their team balance and select a second spinner for the fifth Magellan Ashes Test.

Western Australia's left-arm spinning allrounder Ashton Agar was today added to the 14-man Test squad for the SCG match beginning January 4, and with Australia having played two spinners at the venue in their past two Tests, the 24-year-old looks a strong chance of inclusion for his first Test match on home soil.

His inclusion could potentially come at the expense of a fast bowler, with the fitness of Mitchell Starc – who missed the ongoing Melbourne Test as he continues to recover from a foot injury – currently unknown. There is also the possibility the selectors could opt for a straight swap between the allrounders, should Starc prove his fitness and they seek the extra firepower the left-arm quick offers. 

In Melbourne, Marsh sent down 12 overs for figures of 0-42 as England, led by double century-maker Alastair Cook, racked up a first-innings total of 491 on a lifeless MCG wicket.

It was a similar story during the third Test in Perth where he bowled a total of 12 overs for match figures of 0-57, although he contributed a personal best of 181 with the bat.

The West Australian's ability to back up Australia's pace trio was a key factor in selectors deciding to name him for the WACA Test in place of Peter Handscomb.

Marsh had only resumed bowling in the Sheffield Shield weeks earlier after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction in March, sending down 22 overs across two matches.

But he has declared himself capable of increasing his workload in Sydney should Australia's selectors opt to name a second tweaker and rest one of their quicks.

"I'm feeling OK, bowling-wise," he said on Friday. "This is obviously a difficult wicket to judge it on as someone who doesn't bowl 150kph.

"But I'm feeling good, the body's feeling really great which is awesome, on a personal note.

"If they decide to change the team and bring a couple of spinners in, then I'll be ready to go."

Australia's 14-man squad for fifth Magellan Ashes Test: Steve Smith (c), David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Agar, Peter Handscomb.

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell 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

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