Things have further gone southwards for the visiting Australian side, as ace all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out of the remainder of the India tour. Marsh, who took part in the second Test at Bengaluru which Australia lost by 75 runs, will miss the last two Tests owing to a prolonged shoulder injury. It is believed he was playing with the injury throughout the whole summer, but now the extent of that injury has reached its heights.
One noticeable aspect about the younger Marsh was that he was selected in the playing XI for both Tests ahead of Glenn Maxwell. Despite Maxwell being the more reliable batsman and a spin bowling all-rounder, something of a big asset in Asia, Marsh was backed, and this speaks immensely about the backing he received from management.
“Mitchell has been playing with a shoulder injury for most of the summer, which we have been managing up until now, but unfortunately it has progressively deteriorated to a point where he is unable to function at the level required,” Australian team physiotherapist David Beakley was quoted saying some time ago.
“Consequently he will return to Australia to consult with specialists to advise the best course of action.”
Coach Darren Lehmann mentioned the injury to Mitchell Marsh could open up avenues for Usman Khawaja or Glenn Maxwell.
“It was fine when he got here but it’s gotten worse,” said Lehmann.
“I was confident Marsh was fit, I thought he played really well in the second innings in Pune where he got 31.
“At the end of the day it’s unlucky for Mitch and we move to whoever the next person who comes in .
“Whether we go with Usman Khawaja or Glenn Maxwell or whoever’s selected, we’ll just wait and see.”
If Australians decide to call up someone into the squad as a like for like replacement for Marsh, it could well be Moises Henriques.
Henriques previously toured India in 2013 during the ill fated 4-0 whitewash.