The Australian team is leading the 5-match Ashes Test series by 2-0 after winning the second Test by 120 runs in Adelaide. Now, they have also announced their squad for the next Test in Perth and have roped in Mitchell Marsh in place of Chad Sayers into the squad.

With four frontline bowlers performing at their best, Marsh has been included in the squad to reduce the workload on the main bowlers. Jason Gillespie, the former Australian pacer, had also come in support of the inclusion of an all-rounder to share the burden of Australia’s three premier pacers – Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins.

Gillespie said, “I said after the first two Test matches the Australians will maybe add someone to their squad, possibly an allrounder because they’ll feel the surfaces in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney are three very good batting surfaces. And the three big hairy quicks are going to need a little bit of support.”

Mitchel played his last Test in Bengaluru against India earlier this year, has been in fine form in the ongoing Sheffield Shield for Western Australia, compiling 402 runs and picking up two wickets as well.

Marsh has scalped 22 wickets in 21 Tests at an average of 37.48. He has also amassed 674 runs at an average of 21.74. The third Test starts from December 14 in Perth, which is also the home ground for Marsh’s FC team.