Australian T20I captain Mitchell Marsh is set to make a surprise return to Sheffield Shield cricket in early December for Western Australia, with expectations that he could feature at the top of the batting order. Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis will represent the Cricket Australia XI against the England Lions at Lilac Hill on Friday and is also likely to bat high in the order.

Marsh’s return to red-ball cricket is an intriguing development. Just weeks ago, he publicly stated that he would be watching the opening Ashes Test from the Perth stands. This meant he would was set to miss WA’s round five Shield clash against South Australia beginning Saturday in Adelaide.

However, Marsh is now expected to play in the sixth round against Victoria at the MCG starting December 4, as well as WA’s one-day fixture against Victoria at Junction Oval on December 2.

The 34-year-old has not played a first-class match since being dropped after the Boxing Day Test against India last year and last appeared in the Sheffield Shield in October 2023. He has consistently downplayed any ambitions of returning to red-ball cricket.

Despite this, chairman of selectors George Bailey stated in April that Marsh’s Test career was not over, noting that his white-ball form and proven ability against high pace kept him in red-ball consideration, particularly relevant with England expected to unleash a fiery pace battery throughout the Ashes.

Head coach Andrew McDonald recently confirmed that the selectors would be comfortable picking Marsh if required for the Ashes.

With concerns lingering over Usman Khawaja’s form and age (he will turn 39 during the Adelaide Test), Australia may need flexibility in the top order. If Jake Weatherald opens, he would be Khawaja’s seventh partner in 16 Tests.

Marsh has never opened in any of his 210 first-class innings and has only batted at No. 3 three times. He has never batted higher than No. 4 for Western Australia, and selectors remain firm that Shield teams control their own batting orders. Still, given his Shield appearance may be a one-off before the BBL and the looming T20 World Cup, conversations around his batting position are expected.

If Marsh were to open, WA’s long-standing pair of Sam Whiteman and Cameron Bancroft would be split. Alternatively, he could slot in at No. 3 as the middle order continues to shuffle with the match time of Cameron Green, Cooper Connolly, and Inglis.

Marsh averages 28.53 in Tests from 80 innings, with a modest 12.57 average from nine Tests at No. 3 to 5. His best returns come at No.

6, where he averages 31.24 and has scored all three of his Test centuries and nine fifties. A return as an all-rounder is unlikely, with his bowling workload restricted since a back injury.

Inglis, meanwhile, is expected to bat high against the England Lions to give him maximum time in the middle rather than to groom him as an opening option. He has never opened in first-class cricket, and all eight of his first-class centuries, including his maiden Test ton, have come from No. 5 or lower.