Mitch Marsh concedes he's frustrated he can't nail a big score batting at No.6 and lock in his spot as Australia's No.1 Test all-rounder.
Like the rest of his teammates, the West Australian hasn't provided enough answers against Sri Lanka's spinners as the No.1-ranked team conceded the Test series with two crushing defeats in Kandy and Galle.
Marsh has often looked the most likely to make a big score, but his return in four innings - 31, 25, 27 and 18 - is more or less a continuation of his batting record across his 27-Test career.
His medium-pace bowling in the longer format has been handy, and perhaps above expectations given his skill with the swinging ball, both conventional and reverse.
However, he hasn't yet shut up the critics who say your all-rounder batting at No.6 needs to be making hundreds, and certainly average better than his current 23.39.
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Australian skipper Steve Smith, coach Darren Lehmann and batting coach Stuart Law have often spoken in awe on tour of Marsh's immense power and potential, but he's yet to convert that into big runs.
"I wouldn't say it's hanging over my head," Marsh said in Galle on Monday, two days after a 229-run loss.
"It's certainly been frustrating that I haven't been able to capitalise on a few good starts over here.
"I feel like I'm batting really well at the moment, I've got a clear mind going out to bat and it's just about doing it for longer.
"I really hope that a big score is just around the corner for me."
In 27 Test innings, the 24-year-old has made one fifty - a classy 87 against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi in only his second match in 2014.
Since then, he's made plenty of starts - six twenties, two thirties and three fourties.
He's only made four first-class centuries.
Marsh will have another chance when the third Test starts in Colombo on Saturday, but if he doesn't put together a big score, his place in the side could come under threat for home Tests against South Africa and Pakistan over the summer.
NSW's Moises Henriques is part of Australia's 15-man squad in Sri Lanka.
Marsh won't be altering anything significantly for the Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground.
"My plan won't change too much," said Marsh.
"I've felt really comfortable when I've gone out into the middle.
"For me it's just about doing for longer periods of time... a lot longer periods of time."
MITCH MARSH FIGHTING TO STAY AUSTRALIA'S NO.1 TEST ALL-ROUNDER
SRI LANKA TOUR AFTER TWO TESTS
Batting - 4 innings 101 runs, Highest score 31, Average 25.25 (second behind Steve Smith)
Bowling - 22 overs, 2-70 Best bowing 1-30, Average 35.0
OVERALL TEST RECORD FROM 17 MATCHES
Batting - 27 innings, 538 runs, Highest score 87, Average 23.39
Bowling - 31 innings, 27 wickets, Best bowling 4-61, Average 34.55
