Mitchell Marsh will only play as a batsman for WA

Mitchell Marsh is all set to lead the Western Australia side in the upcoming domestic season after he replaced Adam Voges as their new skipper. The dynamic all-rounder will be making his comeback after he was forced to take an 18-month sabbatical, being plagued by injuries. However, despite being declared fit to bat and bowl, Marsh said he’s going to to take field only as a batsman for WA at the start of the new domestic season.

He is thus expected to play in the One-Day Domestic Cup as a batter only while his bowling and throwing progressions will be gradually checked over the course of the next month. WACA head physiotherapist Nick Jones is confident that the new skipper will be available for the domestic season. Mitch has progressed gradually and his milestones serve as a testament to that.

Speaking on the Unplayable Podcast on Thursday, Marsh said, ”My shoulder’s close. I’m obviously back batting now and I’ll play for Western Australia at the start of the season for a while just as a batsman until I get my shoulder strong enough to be able to bowl and throw.”

“It’s going really well. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed a bit of time at home, as hard as it’s been to watch cricket. We’ve had a chance to get away from the game a little bit and really re-focus my goals. It’s obviously going to be a huge summer. Not just for me, but for Western Australia and Australia. I’m really looking forward to it now,” he further added.

Marsh’s sabbatical has been a blessing in disguise

Marsh had to return home from Australia’s Test tour of India after he sustained a shoulder injury, earlier in March. Following then, it has just been what was a mediocre outing for him where he scored just 48 runs in four innings and bowled five overs. Last week, Marsh was named the new captain of Western Warriors, despite still recuperating from the injury.

The sabbatical in a manner has been a blessing in disguise as it gave Marsh the chance to work on shortcomings that he has wanted to, like tightening his defence in order to find consistency in churning out runs in the longer formats of the game.