MITCHELL JOHNSON: Mitch Marsh retaining Cricket Australia contract shows he may play in home Ashes series

Selection chair George Bailey believes discarded Test all-rounder Mitch Marsh could be resurrected during next summer’s Ashes series.

Before we get there, Marsh has some big questions to ask himself this winter.

Marsh, 33, has been starring in the Indian Premier League. But coming in as an impact sub – who is not required to bowl or field – and smacking the ball around is a world away from an Ashes series.

So the big West Aussie needs to decide whether he wants to still play red-ball cricket and whether his body will allow him to continue to bowl – in any format.

Bailey was on the money when he remarked “I don’t necessarily think his red-ball career is over”. Beau Webster and the soon to be returning Cam Green are ahead of him at this point, but it only takes an injury or two to put Marsh back into contention if his form is good.

All three of Marsh’s Test centuries have come against England and he had instant impact when thrown in during the last Ashes series and the selectors won’t have forgotten that.

Marsh has a lot to weigh up regarding his priorities, body and the lure of going down the white-ball specialist route in an attempt to extend his career. But I think if he really wants to play Test cricket again then he can.

Regardless, he remains a key member of Australia’s one-day and Twenty20 teams and was included in the new national contract list that came out this week.

New to the list were Webster, opener Sam Konstas and spinner Matt Kuhnemann.

It’s worth noting a few players who missed out: Nathan McSweeney, Cooper Connolly, Sean Abbott, Todd Murphy and Aaron Hardie all represented Australia over the summer and found themselves on the outside looking in.

However, this doesn’t mean we won’t see them in the Australian colours or donning the baggy green in the next 12 months. Unfortunately, someone has to miss out and it’s a reality that professional athletes face.

Experiencing the loss of a contract or not securing one brings a wave of emotions. Athletes often start to question themselves, wondering what they did wrong or how they can improve.

Having had a taste of playing for Australia, they understand the privilege. The drive to give their absolute best is at its peak, so when dropped, these players may wonder what more they could have done.

From my own experience of losing my Queensland contract in the early 2000s, I can attest that it made me more determined than ever to earn a contract and prove my worth. It was a huge driver for me, and I had to work incredibly hard to earn it back.

Sometimes failures motivate players to inspire themselves or to impress the selectors with outstanding performances.

Most of the players who missed out still have time ahead of them. It’s never over if you believe you can earn it back and focus on doing your job at the elite level, making it impossible for selectors to overlook you.

It’s encouraging to see Kuhnemann secure a CA contract, especially after the turbulence at the end of the Sri Lanka tour. Being reported for a suspicious bowling action can be daunting, but this contract should give him a boost of confidence. It’s also testament to how the selectors are backing him, which is crucial for any player, and he looks like the next spinner in for the Ashes should anything happen to Nathan Lyon.

With Lyon, 37, approaching the end of his playing days, the pressure on Kuhnemann to step up is immense. In a way, Lyon is playing two different roles for the team – firstly, being the number one spinner and secondly, mentoring those who are pushing to take that position. It’s reminiscent of the transition when Shane Warne retired.

The search for the next standout spinner is going to be competitive, with others such as Murphy, Mitch Swepson and Corey Rocchiccioli also in the mix. It’s essential for these players to stay true to their natural game and stay mentally resilient despite the outside noise. You never know when your chance might come up.