Marsh happy to have competition from Mozzie

Cricket365
June 3, 2016

Australia all-rounder Mitchell Marsh is aware that his form with the bat in Tests has not been ideal, but isn't threatened by the inclusion of Moises Henriques in the squad for the Sri Lanka tour.

Henriques has not played a Test in three years, and was picked ahead of Glenn Maxwell for this tour because he's a pace bowling all-rounder. Marsh feels this will provide a healthy challenge for him in the squad.

Marsh said on the CA website: "I think in the shorter formats I have a lot of confidence in both facets of the game and I see myself as a genuine allrounder.

"But in Test cricket the proof is in the pudding; I haven't been able to score as many runs as I would have liked.

"So I can't classify myself as a genuine allrounder in the Test format, but I hoping in the next 12 months that'll change.

"It's always nice to have competition in the ranks and we have quite a few good all-rounders at the moment. You always have to perform.

"I think on a tour like Sri Lanka, the more all-rounders the better because it gives you an opportunity to play more spinners if the wicket's going to be turning.

"Moises has worked extremely hard. He's been a little unlucky throughout his career with injury but I' m sure he's going to jump at the opportunity to be back on tour with Australia.

"I get along great with him. While he's the same sort of player to me, he also has a lot of experience so I'll be learning a lot off him.

"It's great to have him back in the squad and he deserves it."

Before the Sri Lanka trip, the Aussies will play in a tri-series against the West Indies and South Africa in the Caribbean, which starts on Friday 3 June.