Ashes 2023: Australia hero Marsh doubted he’d play another Test
The HinduAustralia’s Mitchell Marsh said Thursday there were times he thought “he might not get back” after he ended a four-year absence from the Test arena with a scintillating Ashes hundred. I’m really proud to get back.” When asked how he maintained his morale while out of the Australia team, Marsh pointed to his Baggy Green cap and said: “I wanted to wear it one more time.” ‘Evenly poised’ Australia’s second-highest score was Travis Head’s 39, highlighting the importance of Marsh’s century in an innings where England fast bowler Mark Wood ripped through the batting line-up. Marsh said he “could lean on my experience of growing up at the WACA against fast bowling, sink or swim from a very early age.” But he wouldn’t be drawn on his chances of playing the next Test in Manchester, joking: “I wouldn’t mind going back to my UK holiday, to be honest.” England closed on 68-3, with Marsh saying the game was “pretty evenly poised”. “That first spell in particular, that’s as good as I’ve felt at home in an England shirt.” Wood clocked a top speed of 96.5 mph, but played down suggestions he might hit the magic 100 mph figure with a favourable tailwind.