Follow UsAustralia’s T20I captain Mitchell Marsh has almost confirmed that he will open the batting alongside Travis Head at least until the 2026 T20 World Cup, to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Marsh has opened for Australia in T20Is on six occasions, scoring just 98 runs at an average of 16.33 and a strike rate of 128.9. His record at No.3, however, is far superior - 1,276 runs in 40 innings at an average of 37.53 and a strike rate of 142.6.
The 32-year-old enjoyed a stellar run as an opener for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2025, smashing 627 runs at an average of 48.23 and a strike rate of 163.7.
While Marsh has never opened alongside Head in T20Is, the pair has combined at the top in five ODIs, putting on 282 runs at an average of 70.5 and a strike rate of 130.6.
"It'll be myself and Heady up the top for the foreseeable future. Obviously, we've played a lot together, (we've) got a great relationship, so [we'll] start there,” Marsh said ahead of the three-match T20I series against South Africa, beginning on August 10 (Sunday).
Apart from Marsh and Head, Matthew Short, Glenn Maxwell, and Jake Fraser-McGurk are the three other players who have opened for Australia since the last T20 World Cup in 2024.
Marsh also addressed Tim David’s batting position. The power-hitter walked in during the sixth over in the third T20I against West Indies in July and blasted 102 off just 37 balls, including 11 sixes.
"We've spoken about it … we saw that in the Caribbean, that he came in earlier than he would normally. His skill set is made for that. The more balls he faces, hopefully the more games he wins us,” Marsh said.
The first two T20Is against South Africa will be played in Darwin on August 10 and 12, before the series concludes in Cairns on August 16. The two sides will then meet in a three-match ODI series, starting August 19.