Mitchell Johnson, a former fast-bowler for Australia, recently shared his thoughts on whether Mitchell Marsh should keep playing Test cricket. After being dropped from the team for the fifth Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against India—despite putting up a decent score of 73 runs in his last four games—Marsh missed out on the Champions Trophy due to an injury. But he’s back at it with the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2025, where he’s managed to score 72 runs, then 52, and then had a game where he didn’t score at all. Because of his role as an impact player, he hasn’t had to bowl or field, which is a bit different from what he’d face in Test matches.
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Despite the ups and downs, Marsh is still on Australia’s list of contracted players for the upcoming 2025/26 season. George Bailey, who handles the selection, thinks that Marsh might get another shot during next summer’s Ashes series. But before that can happen, Johnson feels Marsh needs to do some soul-searching this winter. At 33, Marsh has been shining in the IPL, but being an impact sub isn’t quite the same as battling it out in an Ashes series. He really needs to think about whether he’s still up for the challenge of red-ball cricket and if his body can take the strain of bowling again.
Right now, there are other players like Beau Webster and Cameron Green, who’s coming back soon, in line ahead of Marsh. But if any injuries pop up, Marsh could find himself back in the mix, especially if he keeps his form in good shape. Johnson noted that Marsh has performed well in Tests against England, boasting an average of 47.07, in contrast to his overall Test average of 28.53. All three of his Test centuries have come against England, and he made a solid impact when included during the last Ashes series. The selectors are definitely aware of that dynamic.
Marsh has a lot to think about regarding what he wants to prioritize. He could choose the path of becoming a white-ball specialist to stretch his career further. However, if he genuinely wants to make a comeback in Test cricket, Johnson believes he can.
Johnson also expressed his approval regarding left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann securing a central contract, despite the scrutiny surrounding his bowling action. He thinks Kuhnemann has a big role to play when Nathan Lyon eventually steps back from international play. It’s great news for Kuhnemann, especially considering the troubles he faced at the end of the Sri Lanka tour, including being reported for his bowling action. This contract should really help boost his confidence. It’s also a sign that the selectors believe in his abilities, which is super important for any player aiming for success.
As Lyon, who’s 37 years old, gets closer to retirement, the pressure on Kuhnemann is understandably high. Johnson pointed out that Lyon serves two important roles: being the team’s leading spinner and also mentoring others who are looking to take that position. It’s somewhat similar to how things went down when Shane Warne hung up his boots.
The race is on to find the next standout spinner, with other players like Todd Murphy, Mitch Swepson, and Corey Rocchiccioli also in the running. Johnson stressed the need for these players to stick to their game and remain mentally tough, especially with all the outside noise. You really never know when an opportunity might present itself. In the world of cricket, staying focused and ready can make all the difference.
