Marsh suited at the top: Harris

Former Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris believes Mitch Marsh can carve out a permanent role as an opener in one day cricket.

Marsh has been in dominant form at the top of the order in the ongoing one day series against India, clubbing 81 from 65 balls in the first game before smacking 66 not out from 36 deliveries in the second.

Harris told Sports Breakfast the 31 year old, who has played 71 ODI’s, had unmatched power.

“His batting probably hasn’t been as consistent until a couple of years ago, but he’s starting to show now that he’s working his game out and working the game out a little bit,” he said.

“He’s shown what he really can do and it’s nice to see him get that opportunity. I guess the big question here is does he stay at the top, there’s one bloke named David Warner who’s not playing over there at the moment who’s not bad at the top either, not in great form in the red ball but he’s done it for a long time for Australia and done well.

“I don’t know if he should park [his bowling], I think he offers a lot with the ball. He may not have to bowl as much with all those all-rounders in there, with Green and with Stoinis, Maxwell with his spin.”

After folding for 188 following Marsh’s blitz in the first game, the Australians registered a dominant 10 wicket victory in the second after bowling the hosts out for just 117.

Mitchell Starc led the way with the ball in the win with 5 for 53 from 8 overs, with Harris saying his quality with the white ball was unmatched.

“One thing that I see with Mitchell Starc when I know he’s bowling well is when he’s swinging the ball, and he did that in the Test match and he’s doing it here,” Harris said.

“With him doing that and bowling the pace he’s bowling, we’re seeing those LBW’s that we saw in the first game as well and obviously this one.

“To knock the runs off in 11 overs of a one day game was just amazing, Mitch Marsh at his damaging best.”

The domestic cricket season comes to a head with the Sheffield Shield final between WA and Victoria starting at the WACA Ground on Thursday, a rematch after the visitors defeated the hosts by 7 wickets last week.

Harris said he was expecting a good contest.

“WA being over there is a big plus, but I think what happened last week, the [Victorian] boys will definitely be confident,” he said.

“It’s the best two teams in the comp, it’s going to be another close one, but from the point of view that we don’t want to see WA keep winning too much, I hope the Vics get up, but I don’t like seeing the Vics win either.

“At the end of the day, it’s going to be a good battle, and that’s what everyone wants to see.”

The final kicks off at 10am and will be broadcast live on 91.3 SportFM, while the one day decider will kick off in Chennai at 4pm on Wednesday.

IMAGE: Cricket Australia.