“When you have the best bowler in the world….”: Mitchell Marsh plans to attack Jasprit Bumrah during 3rd Test

Ahead of the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh highlighted the importance of taking on pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. Marsh noted that simply “looking off” the “best bowler in the world” could lead to losing his wicket, emphasizing the need to adapt to the situation and apply pressure with attacking batting when required. The third Test of the series is set to begin on December 14 at the Brisbane Cricket Ground.

After a resounding 295-run defeat to the visitors at Perth’s Optus Stadium – where outstanding performances from Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal were on display – the hosts came back strongly. Outstanding bowling efforts from Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, coupled with a counter-attacking century from Travis Head, ensured Australia a dominant 10-wicket win as they chased down a modest target of 19 runs.

With the series now level at 1-1, the next meeting will take place at “The Gabba”, a venue where an inexperienced Indian side handed Australia their first Test loss in over 32 years during the 2020-21 tour.

Marsh, who has scored 62 runs in two Tests and three innings so far, with a best of 47, is the only player in Australia’s top seven yet to be dismissed by Bumrah in the series. Speaking about meeting the top-ranked Test pacer, Marsh said at a pre-match press conference: “He’s coming. When you’ve got the best bowler in the world, if you just try to see him off, he’ll have one with your name on it. It’s about about applying pressure with your own method and taking on the challenge.

“Everyone has their own plans and we all bat differently, so it’s about the situation of the game. Sometimes you have to go through a period and sometimes it’s time to attack. We have players in our batting line-up, who play differently,” he added.

“Getting through in your own way and moving the game forward is really important when you’re up against one of the best attacks in the world,” Marsh concluded.

Regarding his bowling workload, Marsh stated that his body feels good and he is ready to bowl as much as captain Pat Cummins requires. After bowling 17 overs and taking three wickets in Perth, Marsh came into the second Test at Adelaide Oval a bit sore and managed just four overs in the first innings, conceding 26 runs without a wicket.

Marsh explained that the plan leading up to the series was to manage his bowling workload with guidance from skipper Cummins, medical staff and head coach Andrew McDonald. While he was expected to bowl during the Sheffield Shield, recurring back problems, which have troubled him since the white-ball tour of Great Britain in September, delayed those plans.

During the England series, Marsh bowled just once, during an ODI at Lord’s – his first outing with the ball since suffering a hamstring injury during the Indian Premier League (IPL) in April while playing for the Delhi Capitals.

“We had a really clear plan before the series started. I didn’t bowl as much as I would have liked in the lead-up, but our medical staff, Ronnie (trainer Andrew McDonald), and Patty were really clear with my preparation and I trusted that I haven’t had to bowl much so far, but my body feels really good right now, it feels as good as it’s felt, Marsh said.

Asked if he was limiting his overs, he said: “Not in my mind, no. I’ll try to be ready to bowl as much as Patty needs me to. Our all-rounders haven’t bowled much in Australia over the last couple of years, but I’m really grateful to the medical staff, Ronnie, and Patty for giving me space between the first and second Tests to get right to the game.”

On pacer Josh Hazlewood’s potential return for the third Test after recovering from a side strain, Marsh said: “The great thing about Josh is that he is a very even-keeled character. He will do everything he can to get fit game. , and then it’s up to the leadership team and the voters to make the final decision.”

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