Marsh backs Smith to be among the runs again

Mitchell Marsh threw his weight behind the underperforming Steve Smith, backing him to be among the runs once again when Australia meet India at the Gabba for the third Test from December 14. Smith has scores of 0, 17 and 2 in the series so far, carrying on his woeful form in the format in 2024. In 13 innings this year, Smith has scored 232 runs at a measly average of 23.20. This run includes just one half-century.

"We know he's one of our best players ever and I'm certainly backing him to get some runs," Marsh said, two days out from the third Test. "I'm probably not in a position to tell Steve Smith what he should work on. We know he's a class player and he's scored a lot of runs for Australia and we know at times when we've needed him, he always seems to step up."

India head to Gabba on the back of a humbling in Adelaide, but have happy memories to draw from at the venue for the third fixture. With their backs against the wall, the visitors produced a Test win for the ages in the 2020-21 tour to breach what had been a fortress for the hosts and claim back-to-back Test series wins in Australia. The hosts though, are not concerning themselves with the past. More so, after bouncing back from the loss in Perth to earn series parity in Adelaide.

"The biggest thing for us is just focusing on this week and not what's happened in the past. The way we bounced back from Perth was an example of that. We're really focused on playing our style this week and hopefully going 2-1 up the series," Marsh said.

Thwarting India's quest for another lead - at the Gabba - could boil down to how well Australia can nullify Jasprit Bumrah. The No.1 bowler in the world has dismissed Smith twice in three innings and taken out each of the other top-five batters - Nathan McSweeney, Usman Khawawja, Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head - at least once. Marsh, who is yet to have a ball from Bumrah with his name on it, felt applying pressure rather than trying to see him off was the way to go.

"We know right now he's probably the best bowler in the world. It's just about getting up for that challenge, it's a big series. You want to take the best in the world on. That is certainly my mentality. Looking forward to facing him again," Marsh said.

"I think each batter has their own plans. As a batting unit we back each other's plans. I think when you have the best bowler in the world and you are just trying to see him off, he is going to have one with your name on it. I think it is about applying pressure with your own method and taking the challenge on," he added.

Marsh also revealed that there was a clear communication made to him from the team management regarding his bowling requirements in the series. The all-rounder, who has battled recuring injuries and has had to have his workload managed, said that he was ready to bowl as much as Pat Cummins needed him to - whether to try and earn a breakthrough or give the other quicks a rest.

"We had a really clear plan before the series started. I didn't bowl as much as I would have liked to in the lead-up to the series, but our medical staff and Ronnie and Patty [Cummins] were really clear on my lead-up. I trusted that. I haven't had to bowl too much so far but my body is feeling really good.

"I'll try and be ready to bowl as much as Patty needs me. Our all-rounders haven't bowled a hell of a lot in Australia the last few years but I am really thankful for our medical staff and Ronny and Patty who have allowed me the space between that first and second Test to just get right for the game. I guess there was a fair bit of noise about it. I felt rather important actually but my body feels really good. I had an interrupted lead-in but I am really well placed. For me it is about being able to contribute. Whether that is five overs and bowling the occasional good ball and getting a wicket or just bowling overs to give our boys a chop out, I love it," Marsh said.