Australia has finally solved one of their selection puzzles. Captain Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head will open the batting in T20 Internationals “for the foreseeable future,” as confirmed by Marsh ahead of the three-match series against South Africa starting this Sunday in Darwin.
The pairing already boasts an enviable record in ODIs, scoring 282 runs from just five innings at a striking average of 70.50. Across formats they’ve shared 504 runs in 14 stands, including one century and three fifties.
Marsh, who shone at No. 3 during Australia’s triumph in the 2021 T20 World Cup and took Player of the Final honors, has embraced the opening role. He has led the top order through all five games of the recent 5-0 sweep over the West Indies, even if his personal returns were a poor (81 runs).
“It’ll be myself and Heady [Travis Head] up the top for the foreseeable future,” Marsh told reporters ahead of the three-match T20I series against South Africa. “Obviously, we’ve played a lot together, (we’ve) got a great relationship, so (we’ll) start there.”
Dangerous batting firepower for Australia
Australia’s middle order has quietly morphed into a lethal asset. Tim David, fresh off a record-breaking 37-ball century in the Caribbean, the fastest by an Australian in T20Is, has stamped his mark. Meanwhile, 23-year-old Mitch Owen has dazzled since his debut, smashing a 26-ball fifty and maintaining an aggressive mindset regardless of position.
Then there’s Cameron Green, who earned Player of the Series honors with vital cameos and all-round smarts in the West Indies tour. Add to that the ever-reliable Glenn Maxwell, electrifying Josh Inglis, and you’ve got a blistering batting line-up.
