Mitch Marsh has vowed to fight hard to regain his beloved Test spot, but first he wants to help the Perth Scorchers win back some much-needed pride.
Marsh captained the Scorchers to one of their most embarrassing defeats on Monday night.
Set 158 for victory against the Melbourne Renegades, the Scorchers slumped to 4-12 from their six-over powerplay before being dismissed for 79 - the fourth lowest total in BBL history.
Marsh was powerless to stop the onslaught, with the 27-year-old dismissed for just five off 14 balls.
It continued a horrid summer for the powerful right-hander, whose form woes saw him dropped from the Test and one-day squads.
His fall down the pecking order was confirmed last week when selectors opted to call up Marcus Stoinis in the extended squad for the second Test against Sri Lanka instead of Marsh.
Stoinis, who is a teammate of Marsh at WA, is no certainty to be named for his Test debut.
But the fact that selectors chose Stoinis instead of the allrounder was a significant message.
With the start of the Ashes in England just six months away, Marsh needs a strong finish to the Sheffield Shield season to thrust his name back into the selection frame.
But in the meantime, Marsh hopes Stoinis is given a crack.
"Stoinis is having a great summer and thoroughly deserves his chance at Test level, and hopefully he gets it," Marsh said.
"He's a great mate of mine. I'm so stoked for him. It's everyone's dream to play Test cricket.
"It's disappointing to not be there (after getting dropped). But I saw that one coming.
"I've been knocked around a bit this summer. But my dream of playing Test cricket is still not over. I'm only 27. I'll keep fighting."
Marsh's immediate focus is on helping the Scorchers regain their mojo.
The last-placed Scorchers (3-8) are guaranteed to miss the finals for the first time ever, with the three-time champions facing a fight just to avoid the wooden spoon.
Marsh said the team were desperate to turn around their flagging fortunes, starting with Friday night's clash with the Heat in Brisbane.
"We've still got three games to go. We've got a lot of pride to play for," Marsh said.
"Hopefully we can finish strong and knock a few teams out of the finals."
