Australian allrounder Mitch Marsh says he's playing for the team, not his average, as he prepares for a career-defining Test match.
Marsh's spot in the Australian side is in jeopardy amid a scoring drought that has returned only 85 runs at an average of 12 in five Tests this year.
The allrounder has been put on notice by coach Darren Lehmann that he needs to make runs in the third Test against New Zealand starting on Friday in Adelaide.
But Marsh says despite his personal woes, he'll continue to bat for the team cause and not himself.
"I always try and play for the team and put the team first," Marsh said on Wednesday.
"There is plenty of talk about your average and all that sort of stuff.
"But at the end of the day, I know that if I get an opportunity, I feel like I'm hitting the ball really well in the nets - I just need to take that out into the middle and put some big runs on the board.
"Obviously, I would like a few more runs but, at the same time, I always put the team first. And when we're making 500, it's quite irrelevant."
Marsh was limping after being struck on the knee at Wednesday's training session but team management were confident he would be right for the day-night Test.
Marsh has made just 37 runs in three innings this series and has an average of 24.78 in his nine-Test career - only passing 50 once.
"I have come in in some situations to get as many (quick) runs as we can," he said.
"And I don't want to play the game in a selfish manner and worry about my average or anything like that - I just want to play for the team.
"But in saying that, playing at the highest level, you're always going to be under pressure to score runs and that comes with the territory of playing cricket for Australia.
"That is something you have got to deal with as an international cricketer."
Marsh and brother Shaun, recalled to the Australian team for the third Test, were ignoring external criticism about their selections.
"Shaun has got a great opportunity now," he said.
"He has been in and out of the Test team, there's no denying that, but I think he's in great form. He has obviously matured a lot over the last few years as a batsman.
"He's batting as well as he ever has and I'm sure he's going to take this opportunity. He has worked extremely hard to get where he is now so hopefully he gets a good run at it."
The Marsh brothers have played one Test together - against India in Brisbane last December, when Mitch injured a hamstring on day one.
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