Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has expressed his desire to secure a permanent spot in the Australian Test team.

Marsh starred with the ball when Australia defeated West Indies in the final of the Tri-Nation series. His figures of 3-32 at an economy rate 3.20 that included the valuable scalps of Darren Bravo and Marlon Samuels helped derail West Indies’ run-chase.

Marsh has had a successful tournament and top-scored for Australia with an unbeaten 79 in last week’s match against West Indies at the Kensington Oval. He ended the Tri-series with a batting average of 39.38 in ODIs. There’s been talk that his current form warrants him an extended run in the Test team. He has scored 437 runs from 23 innings for an average of 23, and says he hopes to book himself a spot in the team that will tour Sri Lanka next month.

‘It’s been well documented and it’s true – I haven’t scored as many runs as I would have liked in the Test arena,’ said Marsh. ‘I just can’t wait (for the three-Test series in Sri Lanka next month). I’m chomping at the bit … it’s a big tour for us. I’m hungry for more runs … I’m not afraid.

‘I’ve worked extremely hard and I’m quietly confident that in Sri Lanka, the hard work will pay off.’

An extended spell in the team and a good run of form could see him playing a vital role when they take on the Proteas at the end of the year.

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