Mitchell Marsh declines Test opening role for Australia after Warner’s retirement

Marsh, who generally comes up in the order in white-ball cricket, asserted that he wanted to continue to bat at No. 6 in the traditional format.

Mitchell Marsh in action on the second day of the first Test between Australia and Pakistan in Perth. | Photo Credit: AP

Australian batter Mitchell Marsh said he has no desire to open the innings in Test cricket once David Warner retires after the ongoing series against Pakistan.

Marsh, who generally comes up in the order in white-ball cricket, asserted that he wanted to continue to bat at No. 6 in the traditional format.

“How do I answer this without making a headline? For me I appreciate there’s talk about it (him opening) and eventually we’re going to need a new opener with Davey leaving.

“But I’ve worked really hard to get back in this side and for me to look forward to having a role as an opener just doesn’t make sense to me,” Marsh was quoted as saying by ‘The Age’ newspaper.

“I love being at number six and in my last four Test matches I’ve really found my way and I guess who I am as a Test cricketer and I’m loving it, so I’m reluctant to change that.” Marsh made a counter-attacking 90 off 107 balls to help Australia reach 487 in their first innings along with Warner’s 164.

Marsh said batting at No. 6 allowed him to play the way he wants to -– an aggressive brand of cricket -- rather than playing a typically patient and long Test cricket innings.

“I think I showed glimpses of the way I played in the last 12 months throughout my career, but probably never really believed in that method.

“I tried to play the long innings and play like Steve Smith and Davey and Uzzy (Usman Khawaja) and all those guys who can bat for six hours,” he said.

The 32-year-old also thanked his captain Pat Cummins and head coach Andrew McDonald for allowing him to pursue his natural game.

“But I just wanted to come into this Test team and be really true to myself. I’m thankful to Patty (Cummins) and Ronnie (McDonald) for helping me get to this point where I’ve found my method that works,” Marsh said.

“I don’t necessarily have the technique of Smudger (Smith) and Marnus (Labuschagne) where they can defend and leave for hours and get through those periods.” Marsh said he loves to put the pressure back on the opposition with his rollicking batting.

“I can put pressure back onto teams and the beauty of batting at six is if we bat well, you get some tired bowlers to try to counterattack and keep the game moving.

“Hopefully, I can stay nice and consistent,” he added.