Sheffield Shield: Mystery still surrounds where Mitch Marsh will bat for Western Australia in four-day return

Western Australia will wait until the toss to reveal whether or not Mitch Marsh will open the batting in the Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria starting on Thursday. Marsh will return to red-ball cricket for the first time since he was dropped from Australia’s Test side after last year’s Boxing Day clash with India. But amid speculation he could open the batting as national team selectors look towards life after Usman Khawaja, WA have remained coy over whether or not he will be injected at the top of the order. Marsh has replaced Cooper Connolly in WA’s four-day squad for the MCG clash, with the young all-rounder set to play for Australia A against England Lions in Brisbane. It is the only change from the WA side that drew a rain-affected match with South Australia last month. “Nah it hasn’t ... he can bat anywhere and we’re happy to accommodate Mitch in any position he can play for us,” WA batting coach Beau Casson told The West Australian. “That’s the great thing about his ability, but he’s worked really hard to refine his technique and also become a really powerful and dominant player like he is. “I think he’s like a fine bottle of red, I think he’s got better every year and let’s hope there’s many years to come for him and for us to watch.” Casson said Marsh is “pumped” to be back in the shield side for the first time since he played two matches at the start of last summer. He missed out on a big score in Tuesday’s one-day victory over the Vics at Junction Oval, caught-and-bowled for 17. “He has an aura, a relaxed nature, but it means a lot, and he loves playing for WA,” Casson said. “I know he was bitterly disappointed not to go on and make a big score in the one-day game, but I do know when Mitch is playing his best interest isthat he wants to play good cricket for WA and for WA to have a really strong result. “I’m excited for what he brings.” WA are at the foot of the table at the competition’s halfway mark with one win from five games. Victoria lead the way with four wins and one defeat from their five matches. Western Australia Sheffield Shield v Victoria Sam Whiteman, Cameron Bancroft, Hilton Cartwright, Brody Couch, Joel Curtis, Albert Esterhuysen, Sam Fanning, Cameron Gannon, Jayden Goodwin, Aaron Hardie, Liam Haskett, Mitch Marsh, Corey Rocchiccioli