From rags to riches: Marsh set for monster pay rise in new contract ...

The Mitch Marsh resurgence is set to take another step forward with the all-rounder on the cusp of an unthinkable Cricket Australia pay rise.

Marsh, 32, returned to the Australian Test XI in 2023 following a four-year exile. Since returning to the fold during the Ashes, the West Australian star has risen to become one of the most important members of the squad.

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His stunning run of form now has him squarely positioned to be handed a monster contract upgrade from Cricket Australia.

While he’s reportedly positioned in the middle of Australia’s contract list, Marsh is now set to be launched into the top five which would pocket him a pay rise of between $500,000 to $800,000 per year, according to News Corps Robert Craddock.

The contract list is worked out with players ranked in both long and short formats of the game, with Marsh sitting high on both.

After a career-defining six months that featured a captaincy debut, an Ashes masterclass and a World Cup triumph, the rise to near the top of the contract pile is only fitting.

Marsh played a key role during the Boxing Day Test as Australia secured the series clinching win over Pakistan.

After arriving at the crease with the Aussies in all sorts of trouble during their second innings at 4/16, Marsh delivered his latest masterclass but fell agonisingly short of adding another century to his career tally.

Marsh’s time at the crease came to a devastating end on 96 when he was straightened up and sent an edge to first slip.

“(Falling for 96 was) obviously disappointing … I thought we navigated our way out of a tricky situation to get a partnership with Smudge (Smith), and I guess there’s a lot of history at this ground, the Boxing Day Test, and a bloody big honours board that I was close to getting on, but it wasn’t meant to be,” he said.

“Shaun got run out for 99 and Dad got 86 here, so Shaun’s technically still got me … hopefully I get one more crack at it.”

Once the most mocked cricketer in Australia, Marsh has all of a sudden become a first-choice player in all three formats. He’s a leading contender to lead the country at next year’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies and United States, having served as Pat Cummins’ deputy throughout the 50-over campaign in the subcontinent.

He’s also an immensely popular figure in the Australian change room, exemplified in Amazon’s The Test documentary where he entertained teammates during rain delays and organised coffee walks while on tour.

Marsh’s focus has shifted towards batting since last year’s surgery, with the seamer only bowling 13 overs during the World Cup – but managing his fitness looms as the all-rounder’s biggest challenge ahead of another busy home summer.

“Mitch’s biggest hurdle is going to be whether he can stay on the park, whether his body will allow him to play Test cricket,” Khawaja told Fox Cricket.

“Test cricket isn’t easy, particularly when you’ve got to bat and bowl.

“The question mark is just going to be whether his body can sustain Test match cricket for a long time.

“He’s a very good T20 cricketer, plays white-ball for Australia. Can he manage all that?

“Test cricket’s the hardest on your body, that’s probably going to be the only question mark.

“If he can’t stay on the park consistently, then you can’t have a spot in the team.

“He knows that, and that’s going to be the battle for him.”

– with foxsports.com.au