AUS vs NED, ICC World Cup 2023: Australia’s Marsh happy to vacate opener’s slot for Head

Head’s return as David Warner’s opening partner would mean Marsh would need to drop down to number three and the all-rounder said it would be a familiar role for him.

Mitchell Marsh, who made 121 and 52 in his last two outings in the tournament, said Australia would take a call on Travis Head’s participation later on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: The Hindu/K. Murali

With scores like 96, 31, 52 and 121 over the last month in India, Mitchell Marsh has done rather well as an opener.

After Travis Head – who fractured his left hand in South Africa last month – joined the Australian team, there has been speculation if the partnership with David Warner, which raised a record 259 in the last match against Pakistan, would be split.

On the eve of the World Cup match against Netherlands, Marsh said he would be happy to go back to No. 3.

“I mentioned to David Warner, (that) maybe he can bat three, but I got a firm ‘No’ from him – that is being sarcastic,” Marsh said.

“I have obviously batted there a lot over the last couple of years, so I feel really comfortable at three. If and when Head comes back in, I think that’s the best position for me to play for this team.”

Marsh said the bilateral series against India just before the World Cup was very helpful.

“It was obviously nice to get a few runs at the back end of that series,” he said. “I came into the tournament feeling pretty confident, had a bit of a slow start, but it has been really nice to contribute to a couple of wins in the last two games,” he said.

His father Geoff Marsh had several big opening partnerships with David Boon.

“That partnership would have taken four days to get that many (259),” he said. “My dad is a man of few words. He was very happy for us. We always chat after every game, so he was pumped.”