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Marsh backs Paine to stay on as skipper

3 minute read

He had a lean run with the bat and made a few howling decisions, but Tim Paine remains the popular choice to captain Australia's Test side.

MITCHELL MARSH of Australia during the 4th Sunfoil Test match between South Africa and Australia at Bidvest Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.
MITCHELL MARSH of Australia during the 4th Sunfoil Test match between South Africa and Australia at Bidvest Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. Picture: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images/Getty Images

Should Tim Paine stay on as captain of Australia's Test team this summer? For allrounder Mitch Marsh, the answer is a no-brainer.

"Well, he's the first captain to bring the Ashes home after 20 years, so I think he's doing a pretty good job," Marsh said.

"We love Painey. He's a great man, and he's a very good leader.

"He cost me a wicket with the DRS, but I'll let him slide for that one."

Questions about Paine's future as captain have arisen following his relatively lean run with the bat during the Ashes and some poor decision making.

Paine's wasted review during a crucial moment in the heartbreaking third Test loss to England will haunt him forever.

And his decision to bowl first in the final Test - which England won to level the series at 2-2 - also raised eyebrows.

Paine, who averaged just 20 during the Ashes, has declared that he has unfinished business as Test captain.

And the 34-year-old's efforts to lift Australia out of the doldrums following the sandpaper scandal means he will be forever hold a special place in cricket history.

Most of the 16 Australian players who featured in the Ashes series will be rested for the start of the domestic One Day Cup, which gets underway on Saturday when WA hosts Victoria at the WACA Ground.

But Marsh, who only returned to Perth on Wednesday, is keen to be thrust straight back into playing duties.

Marsh ran the drinks for most of the Ashes series before getting a call-up for the final Test.

The 27-year-old made the most of his international return, snaring 5-46 and 2-40 in his finest ever bowling display.

Marsh lost his spot in Australia's side in all three formats last summer, and he's keen to cement his place again.

But as for becoming Australia's version of Ben Stokes?

"I want to be Mitch Marsh, I don't want to be anyone else," Marsh said.

"It's the same old story: I'm trying to become the best cricketer I can be every day, to get getter every day, and hopefully I can perform for WA to make sure I play more games for Australia in the future.

"Dealing with certain pressures in Test match cricket - I can certainly get better at that.

"I think my technique has tightened up as a batsman. Now it's about turning my starts into big scores.

"I've got myself a lot fitter over the past six months, to the point where I feel really good with the ball in my hand and I can be a real threat with that."

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