Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Mitch Marsh’s Aussie spot to come under scrutiny if he can’t bowl, says Simon Katich

Concerns are growing over the fitness of Australian all-rounder Mitch Marsh just one Test into a gruelling five-match series with India.

Tasmanian Sheffield Shield star Beau Webster is set to join the Test squad when it regroups in Adelaide as cover for Marsh, who pulled up sore from Australia’s disastrous defeat in Perth earlier this week.

Captain Pat Cummins said he feels Marsh, the reigning Allan Border Medal winner, is among the country’s top-six batters and has been adamant the team does not budget for overs from a fifth bowler.

But that has been brought into question by Australian great Simon Katich, who told The West Australian Marsh’s place in the side must come under scrutiny if he is not bowling.

The West Aussie bowled 17 overs and took three wickets, including dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal, in the Perth defeat.

“His role is as an all-rounder and that’s where they miss Cameron Green. Having the two of them obviously helps,” Katich said.

“If he is the sole all-rounder, which he is, then his bowling has got to back up day-in, day-out.

“He did bowl well on day one and he obviously got the wicket of Jaiswal as well, but in terms of being able to bowl that 10 or 15 overs a day to give the quicks a breather... if he can’t do that then I think his spot will come under scrutiny.”

Katich said managing his body would be Marsh’s biggest challenge this series.

“He has been brilliant with the bat the past 12 months and you can’t fault that, but it is an all-rounder role and that’s going to be the challenge,” the Channel 7 commentator said.

“Physically, there is no questioning his abilities. His batting has been brilliant, but in terms of the all-round role, physically that has been his biggest challenge, staying on the park.

“He is a big boy and unfortunately, that is probably why he has been in and out of the team at times because of his injuries.”

Cummins said after the Perth defeat they still believed Marsh could bowl in all five Border-Gavaskar Trophy matches, but conceded the 10-day break between Tests would be spent getting his body right.

Asked if Marsh was fully fit, Cummins said “it’s hard to say”.

“He is battling a couple of little niggles since the UK tour, so the main thing is he’s in there as one of the top six batters in the country and bowling is a bonus,” he said.

“He was a little bit sore towards the end of this Test match so the next 10 days are a chance to freshen up and try and get it right, we will see how he goes.

“Ideally he will be able to bowl in each Test match.”

Marsh’s preparation for this series was less than ideal. The veteran bowled in a one-day international against England in September and needed to be rested from the next match.

He then didn’t bowl again in a competitive match before the first Test, despite telling reporters two days out from a four-day clash with Tasmania he expected to bowl.

Marsh then welcomed his first child a week out from the Test match.

It means Webster, the best player in the shield last season, is getting closer to a baggy green.

The all-rounder, who can bowl both seam and off-spin, played for Australia A in two matches against India A before returning to the Tigers and icing a victory over New South Wales on Wednesday.

Webster took two crucial late wickets to end any hopes of the home team holding out for a draw at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

“He’s a special player at the moment,” Tasmania captain Jordan Silk said of Webster.

“Any time I feel like we’re in trouble, I feel like I can throw him the ball and he just seems to be able to create something.

“I know there’s a bit of talk around him potentially as a back-up (Test) allrounder and I’m very supportive of that move if they are to go that way.”

West Australian Aaron Hardie has long been in the mix for a Test spot, continuing a production line of seam-bowling all-rounders from the State, but his own summer has been interrupted by injury niggles.

Webster is expected to link up with the Australian squad at the weekend.