‘Definitely hasn’t retired’: Skipper’s shock verdict on star’s Test chances … and key Marnus call
Cummins out as Marsh takes reins | 01:16
Tim Miller from Fox SportsSeptember 30th, 2026 7:25 pm
Pat Cummins has made a shock call on Mitchell Marsh’s Test prospects on Australia’s tour of South Africa, declaring the veteran blaster should “keep some options open” ahead of the three-match series.
Marsh, who has filled in for Cummins as ODI captain, is in the form of his life in limited-overs cricket.
He hit three whirlwind half-centuries at the top of the order in five games against Zimbabwe and the Proteas on Australia’s white-ball leg of their African tour, to go with nearly 1000 runs across stints in the IPL and The Hundred this year.
No player in world cricket has scored more T20 runs in 2026 than Marsh’s 1,544, with Cummins telling the Sydney Morning Herald the 2024 Allan Border Medallist isn’t out of the running for what would be a stunning Test recall.
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“He definitely hasn’t retired, so you never know,” Cummins said.
“He’s hitting the ball beautifully in white-ball cricket, he’s destructive and a pretty scary proposition, so if it made sense, he’s not retired.
“I’d like him to keep some options open.”
Marsh was dropped following a lean run of form midway through Australia’s 2024/25 series win over India at home, with Beau Webster taking his place for the fifth Test in Sydney.
The Tasmanian’s strong form, coupled with Cameron Green’s return to fitness, seemed to mean an end to the 34-year old’s long-form career.
He made a brief return to Sheffield Shield cricket with Western Australia last summer before announcing his red-ball retirement – though only from state duties.
But with concerns mounting over the Australian top order, Cummins’ comments – and Marsh’s presence in South Africa ahead of the blockbuster three-Test series – have surged the much-loved veteran back into calculations should batters continue to struggle against the Proteas.
A fractured finger to back-up batter Josh Inglis, who is in doubt for the series beginning in Durban on Friday, October 9 (AEDT), could open the door for a call-up should extra batting depth be required in the squad.
Coach Andrew McDonald said in October last year selectors “would be comfortable” adding a player to the squad even without strong red-ball form behind them, specifically referencing Marsh.
“He’s the captain of the white-ball team,” McDonald said.
“It’s very hard for him to vacate and balance out Test preparation, if he was to be in the window for that.
“We still haven’t given up on Mitch Marsh’s Test career.”
Cummins remains confident in Marsh’s ability to “win a game by himself”, meanwhile.
“He’s really good at going against the flow of express pace bowling, or a tough wicket where trying to guts it out might not necessarily work,” the Australian captain told theSydney Morning Herald.
“He can really put the attack back onto the bowlers, and I think that changes the whole dynamic of a batting order.
“That’s why when he was at his best in Test cricket he did so well.”
Following a four-year exile from the Test team, Marsh returned with a stellar century in the third Test of the 2023 Ashes.
So good was his form over the next 12 months that not only did he leave Green needing to wait for David Warner’s retirement in early 2024 to return to the XI, but saw him claim a surprise Allan Border Medal win.
Marsh’s leadership skills, having served as Australia’s T20I captain for the last two years as well as having led T20 franchises around the world, is another mark in his favour.
“He’s such an awesome leader,” Cummins said.
“Coming in and seeing how well-run the white-ball squads are; I think it’s down to his leadership.”
Cummins’ strong Marsh endorsement has reinvigorated calls for the Western Australian to return to the XI in South Africa.
Cricket journalist Adam Collins wrote on X: “Mitch for no3 in PE. (If it doesn’t go well for Marnus in Durban and they are forced into a change)”
However, Cummins threw his support behind Marnus Labuschagne retaining his spot at No. 3 for the series.
The Queenslander’s lengthy form slump continued in three innings against Bangladesh in August to intensify speculation over his position in the Test team.
But Cummins believes that “relatively small sample size” isn’t enough to seal Labuschagne’s fate.
“I think there was a big shift from six months ago to seeing how he prepared for the form he was in in that Bangladesh series,” he said.
“We know what it looks like at his best. He doesn’t need to play a thousand shots, doesn’t need to go chasing something he doesn’t already have.
“It’s a big series for him, he’s picked in the squad, which shows how much we think he’s worth to us.”
Marsh scored a dynamic 96 in the first Test of Australia’s ill-fated tour of South Africa in 2018.
However, his form faded as the series continued, finishing with 176 runs at 22 as the infamous Sandpapergate saga erupted.
Named vice-captain following David Warner and Steve Smith’s 12-month bans, Marsh nevertheless found himself out of the team by summer’s end, and was infamously booed by fans as he came out to bat during the Boxing Day Test against India.
Source: www.foxsports.com.au
