Published: Mar 13, 2017, 11:41 AM (IST)
Edited: Mar 13, 2017, 11:49 AM (IST)
Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh requires reconstructive surgery on his shoulder injury which will sideline him for up to nine months and end his hopes of participating in this year’s Ashes series, local media reported on Monday. Marsh, a pace-bowling all-rounder, struggled with the shoulder injury throughout Australia’s home summer and was ruled out of Australia’s remaining two tests in India last week. Surgery, which the Western Australian newspaper said was “vital” if he was ever to bowl at full pace again, would effectively put the 25-year-old out of contention for the home Ashes series, which starts in Brisbane in late November. Full Cricket Scorecard: India vs Australia, 3rd Test at Ranchi
Marsh was hailed as the solution to Australia’s lack of a quality all-rounder when he made his test debut in late 2014 but has been widely criticised for his contributions in the longer format with returns of 674 runs and 29 wickets in 21 matches. During the first two tests against India at Pune and Bengaluru, the Western Australian scored 48 runs in four innings and bowled just five overs. Marsh, who had to fly back home mid-way of the India tour after sustaining shoulder injury was replaced him by Australia’s all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, who recently achieved accolades for his heroics in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy against New Zealand.
Though he failed to perform in the Sheffield Shield this season, Australian selectors were impressed by his knock of 146 last month, a knock that included 11 sixes. Additionally, he was one of the consistent performers of the series.
His performance earned him the praises of the New Zealand coach Mike Hesson as well, who compared him with the ‘Superman’.
