Former England captain Michael Vaughan says Australia missed a trick not picking West Australian Mitch Marsh

Former England captain Michael Vaughan says he would have picked Mitchell Marsh at the top of the order for the first Test in Perth. Jake Weatherald is the man most likely to partner Usman Khawaja at the top on the back of his dominant Sheffield Shield form last season. And while Vaughan says the experienced opener has earnt the right to play in Perth, he would have picked Marsh instead, with the local star’s most recent Test appearance coming at the MCG last year before he was dropped. Marsh has been in sparkling form for his country in the white-ball formats, and Vaughan says his century against England two years ago and the fact he’s right-handed would have troubled the tourists in Perth. “I think Mitchell Marsh is a player for a couple of months now who has been Australia’s best player,” he said at Manly Beach. “I know it’s a different format, but his stillness at the crease has been very, very good. “The innings that he played in 2023 at Headingley against 95 miles per hour of Mark Wood was exceptional, and the way that he plays pace bowling is why I would have gone with Mitch Marsh at the top of the order. “He’s also a right-hander. Jofra Archer against two left-handers at the top of the order … I think he’ll be quite happy to see that. “I’m also a fan of Jake Weatherald. I think he’s earned the right, so he deserves a chance. He’s been very good in the Big Bash in recent times and he’s been performing in state level for a number of years, so he’s earned the right to play. “But if I was Australia – and I’m not – I would have gone with Mitchell Marsh.” Selectors have rewarded Weatherald and Marnus Labuschagne for their consistent form.