Reports: Mitchell Marsh likely to face the axe in Sydney Test

Australia, after toiling hard for four and a bit days, lost the third Test against India at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) by 137 runs. Barring Pat Cummins, no other Aussie player was able to stave off the vibrant Indians. Trailing the four-match series 1-2, the home team would be looking to make amends in the fifth and final Test, starting Thursday, January 3 at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

In the meantime, it has been learned that all-round cricketer Mitchel Marsh could face the axe for the next encounter. Marnus Labuschagne, who made his debut in the Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) back in October, would be his standby and can go on to play the Sydney Test. Cricket Australia (CA) hasn’t taken any final decision though as per reports in sen.com.au.

Horrendous times for Mitchell Marsh

Earlier, after losing the opening Test at Adelaide Oval by 31 runs, Australia managed to win the second Test in Perth by 146 runs. Hence, they decided to go in with the same squad. In the erstwhile Test, they dropped Victorian Peter Handscomb and gave Marsh an opportunity. Mitchell had a lacklustre series against Sarfraz Ahmed’s men and didn’t find a place in the eleven for the first two Tests against India.

Nevertheless, he flattered to deceive as his poor run of form continued. In the first innings, he fell prey to Ravindra Jadeja after scoring nine from 36 balls. Jadeja accounted for his dismissal even in the second innings. To add to his disappointment, he went wicketless with the ball in hand after trying his heart out for 26 overs and hence, Paine didn’t entrust him with the leather further in the second innings.

As far as the Test series is concerned, Australia have grassed the chance of clinching the opportunity of grasping the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as Virat Kohli and Co retained the series after winning their 150th Test match. The Aussies are now required to go back to the drawing boards in a bid to ensure that they do decently in the next contest and deny India from winning their maiden Test series on Australian soil.

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