Marsh returns after four years in the wild as Aussies make three changes, England win toss – News Block

Mitchell Marsh has been called up for his first Test in four years as Australia look to take an unbeatable lead at the Ashes.

Marsh replaces Cameron Green, who has a minor hamstring strain in one of three changes in the bowling attack. England won the toss and chose to bowl first as they try to come back from 2-0 down.

Todd Murphy fills in for the injured Nathan Lyon, while Scott Boland fills in for Josh Hazlewood, who is having his workload managed.

Green was asked to field 13 overs in England’s fourth innings over the weekend, including a sustained short-pitch approach that gets more out of the bowlers.

Australia know to tread carefully with Green given his previous back injuries, and he has played three Tests in the span of a month after a prolonged period of bowling no overs in the IPL.

A team spokesman said Green is expected to return to full fitness for the fourth Test.

It is the first Test for the 31-year-old Marsh since he took his first five-wicket haul against England at The Oval in 2019.

(Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images)

Chief selector George Bailey has previously indicated that Australia learned a lesson on their tour of India earlier this year that they need an all-rounder to balance their side after playing the first two Tests of that series with just four top-string bowlers. .

With the Ashes to be earned at Leeds, Australia are trying to strike a balance between going all out for a 3-0 lead and trying to keep something in reserve for the final two tests.

The Rapids dispatched a combined 50 overs on Sunday, with the more lasting impacts of Lyon’s injury now being felt in the squad.

Cameron Green celebrates. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

England welcomed Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood to their squad, replacing the injured Ollie Pope (shoulder), James Anderson and Josh Tongue (both rested).