Nevill and Marsh to stay where they are
Australia captain Steve Smith has confirmed that Mitchell Marsh and Peter Nevill will not be swapping positions in the batting order ahead of the first Test against the West Indies starting in Hobart on Thursday.
There has been talk that wicketkeeper Nevill might be pushed up and bat ahead of Marsh as the gloveman continues to impress with the blade at the highest level.
However if the Aussies were to move the 24 year-old Marsh from the number six position, it would be an admission that he is not yet the allrounder that the Aussies want and it will stifle his growth to grow in the position.
Asked about the batting order, and the potential swap, Smith said: "Nup, same order. We think Mitch has a very bright future.
"We'd obviously like him to score a few more runs and I think he knows that as well and he's been working extremely hard on his game in the nets, and it looks like it is coming together pretty well.
"So, he can gain a lot of confidence out of the way he played in the second innings at Adelaide. He doesn't need to do anything different to that; go out and play his natural game and hopefully score some runs for us in this Test match.
"If it's there to hit, go after it and, if not, maybe playing it with a little bit softer hands so the nicks maybe won't carry.
"He's been going quite hard at the ball and I know that's something he's been working on. So, if it's there, go at it and just continue to play your natural game and back your instincts, I think that's the best advice I can give him."
Australia are hosting the Windies in the three Tests, with the Hobart game to be followed by the traditional Boxing Day and New Year Tests.
Latest
-
NewsTendulkar suggests plan to stifle Smith
Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar has offered some advice to India’s bowlers on how to deal with Australia’s star batsman Steven Smith.
-
NewsIndia suffer double blow as Rohit and Ishant ruled out
India will have to do without the services of Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma during the first two Tests against Australia.
-
NewsSam Curran stars as England get creative in internal T20 practice match in Paarl
Jos Buttler’s XI coasted to victory over Eoin Morgan’s team, with a second target then hastily set to gain more practice time.
-
NewsKagiso Rabada reiterates BLM support as South Africa opt against taking knee
The Proteas will not take a knee during the forthcoming series against England.
-
NewsOlly Stone ready to ‘bash down the door’ after England recall
The Warwickshire paceman was included in the one-day international squad against South Africa and impressed in an intra-squad warm-up game.
-
NewsSam Billings striving to make sure he keeps place in ‘phenomenal’ England side
Billings and Joe Root put on 103 for Jos Buttler’s XI in a 40-over intra-squad warm-up victory in Cape Town.
-
NewsJoe Root hits decisive 77 as Jos Buttler’s team triumph in England warm-up match
The 23-man squad was split in two for the 40-over practice match in Cape Town, with Team Eoin Morgan challenging Team Buttler.
-
NewsJoe Root hits 77 as England warm-up in Cape Town ahead of South Africa series
England split their squad into two teams for a 40-over practice match.
-
NewsWarm-up match cancelled after second Proteas player tests positive for COVID-19
There will be no intra-squad warm-up for the Proteas thanks to a COVID-19 outbreak.
-
NewsChris Jordan says South Africa should not be ‘judged’ for not taking a knee
Barbados-born Jordan says racial inequality remains a pressing matter among England’s diverse squad.