Australia allrounder Mitchell Marsh has revealed why he walked when he didn't edge a Ravi Ashwin delivery in the second Test against India in Adelaide.
Marsh, who has been a vital cog in Australia's line-up for the past two years, was on nine in the first innings when replays showed he clearly missed an Ashwin delivery. He hit his own pad instead and was given out caught behind.
The 33-year-old walked straight off without consulting batting partner Travis Head.
Some players are criticised for reviewing decisions they should not. Marsh is a selfless character and puts the team first, but on this occasion he was prepared to admit he stuffed up.
"The reality is I thought I hit it and I didn't. I didn't speak to Heady," he grinned.
"I had a mare. There's your headline.
"It's funny. I got in the change rooms and they asked if I hit it and I said, 'yeah I smashed it'.
"Then the replay came up and the head went into the hands. About one minute later everyone was laughing at me. My bad."
Marsh has played key innings for Australia in his career in the middle order. He had a brilliant 2023 with 540 runs at an average of 67.5, which included a century and four half-centuries.
This calendar year has not been as productive, with 272 runs at an average of 24.74.
He is not alone in the Australian batting order when it comes to a dry spell with the bat.
No.4 Steve Smith has made 232 runs at 23.2 in 2024, the leanest yearly average-wise in his stellar career.
Marsh is confident a big score for Smith is just around the corner ahead of the third Test against India, which starts at the Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday.
"We know he's one of our best players ever and I'm certainly backing him to get some runs," he said.
"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."
Opener Usman Khawaja has only made one half-century in 14 innings in 2024, but playing at his home ground should be a boost.
"From my experience the Gabba crowd is always awesome. It always feels really loud here," Marsh said.
"Uzzie is the home-town hero. He is the people's champ and there is no doubt they will get around him."
