Bengaluru, March 8 (IANS): Australia’s bowling all-rounder Mitchell Marsh was on Wednesday ruled out of the remainder of the four-Test rubber with a recurrence of a shoulder injury.
The 25-year-old Marsh scored 48 runs in four innings, and bowled just five overs in the Bengaluru Test, which the Aussies lost by 75 runs, on Tuesday.
According to a Cricket Australia (CA) statement, his replacement is set to be named in the coming days.
“Mitchell has been playing with a shoulder injury for most of the summer, which we have been managing up until now, but unfortunately it has progressively deteriorated to a point where he is unable to function at the level required,” team physiotherapist David Beakley said.
“Consequently he will return to Australia to consult with specialists to advise the best course of action.”
The all-rounder missed the preceding One-day International tour to New Zealand, but recovered in time to play in Australia’s sole warm-up match in Mumbai before returning to the playing XI for the first Test in Pune.
“It was fine when he got here but it has gotten worse,” national coach Darren Lehmann said.
“I was confident (Marsh was fit), I thought he played really well in the second innings in Pune where he got 31. At the end of the day it’s unlucky for Mitch and we move to whoever the next person who comes in (is).”
With an extra batsman in Usman Khawaja and two spin-bowling all-rounders Glenn Maxwell and Ashton Agar in the squad, Lehmann said: “Whether we go with Usman Khawaja or Glenn Maxwell or whoever’s selected, we’ll just wait and see.”
With the series levelled at 1-1, Australia will take on the hosts in the third Test in Ranchi from March 16.
