Cricket fans turn on Mitch Marsh as worrying new fallout exposes ugly Test truth for Aussies

Aussie cricket fans are questioning Mitch Marsh's place in the Test side after the all-rounder's latest failure with the bat on Boxing Day. On an opening day of the fourth Test dominated by Sam Konstas' stunning half century on debut and the 19-year-old's clash with India superstar Virat Kohli, the struggles continued for reigning Allan Border Medallist, Marsh.

The 33-year-old came in to bat during Thursday's final session with Australia in a strong position after half centuries for Konstas, Usman Khawaja (57), Marnus Labuschagne (72) and Steve Smith (68 not out). The Aussies were cruising at 2-237 before a rash shot from Labuschagne saw him caught by Kohli at mid-off from the bowling of Washington Sundar to undo much of the batter's good work.

Travis Head came and went for a duck after deciding to leave an absolute beauty from Jasprit Bumrah that clipped the top of his off-stump. The wicket represented the first time Head has been dismissed in his Test career after leaving a delivery. That brought Marsh to the crease and the Aussies needed him to help steady the ship after the two quick wickets brought India back into the contest.

However, Marsh tried to take a leaf out of Konstas' book and attempted to belt Bumrah to mid-wicket, only to edge one behind to Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant to be dismissed for just four. The wicket saw the Aussies lose 3-9 in the space of a handful of overs as they threatened to undo so much of the good work from the top order and throw away their big advantage.

Mitch Marsh's struggles with the bat continue at MCG

But more worryingly for Marsh, it was the fifth single-digit score of the series for the all-rounder, who has also featured very little with the ball after overcoming a back injury. It continued a poor run of form for Marsh, who has made just 73 runs in his seven innings this series.

In his nine Tests this year, Marsh has only scored 283 runs at a meagre average of just 20.2. Considering Marsh is primarily being used as a batter, it's not a great output for the 33-year-old, whose position in the side must surely be in danger, with fellow all-rounder Cameron Green likely to walk back in the side when he returns from injury next year.

Marsh insisted before the Adelaide Test that he'd overcome his latest back injury, despite bowling just four overs in that Test. During the third Test at the Gabba the 33-year-old only took two overs with the ball, despite an injury that ruled Josh Hazlewood out of the series and left skipper Pat Cummins and fellow quick Mitchell Starc to pick up the slack.

It remains to be seen whether Marsh will contribute more with the ball during the Boxing Day Test but his current form slump with the bat is a far cry from his heroics in 2023 that saw him win the Allan Border Medal. Marsh made 540 runs at 67.5 in the last calendar year, with four 50s and one century across his five Tests. He also starred in white-ball cricket and was part of Australia's ODI World Cup-winning squad.

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Calls grow for Mitch Marsh to be replaced in Aussie Test XI

But with fellow all-rounder Beau Webster and reserve batter Josh Inglis part of Australia's Test squad and waiting in the wings to earn their maiden baggy green caps, Marsh's spot in the Test XI is coming under serious pressure. Webster is the reigning Sheffield Shield player of the year and Inglis is averaging 72 in six innings of the domestic red-ball competition this season. If Marsh once again fails with the bat in the second innings of the fourth Test then calls for him to be dropped will inevitably grow louder.