Ashes 2023: I don’t think there is space – Mitchell Marsh admits he and Cameron Green can’t fit together in playing XI

Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh admitted he and Cameron Green can’t fit together in the same playing XI for the team. As Green was unfit for the third Test match at Leeds, Headingley, Marsh finally got his opportunity in the final XI for the visitors.

Marsh was able to grab his opportunity with both hands as he scored a run-a-ball 118 in the first innings to help Australia post 263 runs on the board. The right-hander added a fine alliance of 155 runs with Travis Head before Australia veered off the track to lose six wickets for 23 runs.

The all-rounder then scored 28 runs in the second essay and also accounted for Zak Crawley in both innings. Ergo, there will be selection headaches for Australia for the fourth Test match as Cameron Green is expected to be fit.

On the other hand, Cameron Green had scalped three wickets in the first two Test matches and could only score 84 runs. Ergo, he hasn’t been able to deliver with either bat or ball.

Speaking to cricket.com.au when asked about space for both all-rounders playing in the same team, “I don’t think there is. Unfortunately, there’s not, that’s all right.”

“I don’t want to comment on it too much. Ultimately that stuff is out of my control. I’ve got a very, very close relationship with ‘Greeny’. He’s a fantastic young kid. He’s learning on the go and we know what a super talent he is.”

“It’s important for him to be in our side. We’ve seen how important he is for our side over the last couple of years. We’ll just have to wait and see.”

On the other hand, Australian skipper Pat Cummins wants to keep all options open for the fourth Test match. Josh Hazlewood is also expected to be fit for the penultimate Test.

“You keep all options open. We’ve got nine or 10 days’ (break) now so we’ll take a deep breath. We’ll go away for a few days. But everyone comes back into it. Greeny should be fit for Manchester,” he opined.

“We should have a full roster and we’ll have a look at the wicket and have a chat and work out the best XI.”

The fourth Ashes Test will be played at Old Trafford from 19th July onwards.