Heading into the T20 World Cup on home soil, the Aussie side will rely on depth to carry them deep into the back end of the tournament with a fully fit Mitch Marsh 'close' to bowling.
The title of all-rounder may be reinstated with the 30-year-old nearing a return to the bowling crease and set to play an important role in his country's successes on the biggest of stages.
A circumspect approach undertaken by the Cricket Australia medical team hindered his chances of rolling the arm over in the warmup matches after suffering an ankle injury in August.
Fast Bowler Kane Richardson provided insight on the current nature of the WA-born Marsh suggesting: "I think Mitch is close in terms of the real thing but he's been bowling at training."
"That's a pretty good indication that he is fine. They are just making sure he is cherry ripe to go but the other night Stoin' bowled four of his own (overs) and Maxi (Maxwell) with these big grounds can bowl four on his own," Richardson said, via The Canberra Times.
"It would just be nice for Mitch to bowl because he is quality as well with the ball. The more options the better."
A trans-Tasman battle against New Zealand on Saturday marks the start of Australia's World Cup defence, a feat not yet established in the history of the shortest format's existence.
