For basically the entirety of 2015, Mitchell Marsh had remained fairly unopposed as Australia’s number one all-rounder at test level.
All that changed when New South Welshman Moises Henriques received a Test squad recall for the tour to Sri Lanka, beginning late July.
Suddenly, the pressure is back on the younger man to prove to selectors that he is worthwhile persisting with at Test level.
While Marsh's bowling is impressive for an all-rounder, averaging 34.5 through 15 Tests, it is his batting in the longest form of the game that needs work, averaging a fairly poultry 23 as opposed to 39.6 in one day internationals.
With the bat is where Henriques has Marsh covered. His bowling was been unimpressive in his three Tests to date, but his form with the willow was good, averaging 31, including an 81 not out in his second Test innings in Chennai.
This experience at Test level on the subcontinent may also swing points in Henriques’ favour, in particular the fact that he has shown quick adaptability while batting on the naturally drier pitches.
Given Marsh’s imposing right arm fast-medium bowling will be less important in Sri Lanka, it is looking more and more likely that ‘Moey’ is not on tour simply to fill the seats on the plane, but most likely to play, even in just one of the three Tests.
It will give Australian selectors a good chance to have a look at another all-rounder from within the country, given how many have seemingly been chewed up and spit out by Cricket Australia in recent times.
Names that come to mind such as James Faulkner, Cameron White, Andrew McDonald and even Glenn Maxwell have all registered only single digits worth of tests, and it is encouraging to see selectors are happy to hand out recalls form warranting.
