National selector Mark Waugh has guaranteed Mitch Marsh he won't be dropped for the second Test against South Africa, but the heat is on the allrounder to start pulling his weight.
Marsh's spot in the Test side is coming under increasing scrutiny following a lean year with the bat.
The 25-year-old is averaging just 23 in the Test arena, with his eight-ball duck against South Africa on Thursday heaping even more pressure on his spot in the team.
Despite his batting woes, selectors are vowing to stick by Marsh for at least one more Test.
But if Marsh fails in the second Test against South Africa in Hobart, starting on November 12, he could be replaced by Moises Henriques for the third Test.
"He is not cooked because we have actually picked this team for the first two Tests - he definitely has two Tests," Waugh told Triple M on Saturday.
"As a selector, you pick these guys because you think they are the best players.
"You don't pick them because you think they are no good."
Although Marsh's exploits with the ball have been far better than his performances with the bat, Waugh labelled the West Australian a genuine allrounder.
"I think he is capable of getting a hundred," Waugh said.
"We haven't seen it yet but he is capable of getting five wickets. He is what I would call a genuine allrounder..
"On his day, he is sometimes better with the bat, other days he is better with the ball.
"He gives great balance to the team. But having said that, it doesn't matter who you are, you have got to perform.
"I have got great faith in him but it's up to him now. He has just got to try and free himself. He looks a little bit tense with the bat."
Former Test wicketkeeper Brad Haddin says it's time for Marsh to produce the goods, rather than just rely on his much-hyped potential.
"He's not a project player any more," Haddin told Triple M.
"He's 25 years old, so he's got to start producing at this level.
"He was under pressure before the Test match started, so he's going to have a lot of pressure going into the second innings."
Share
