Former Test opener Geoff Marsh has one vital piece of advice for his sons as they bid to land a dream Ashes berth – stay on the park.
Mitchell and Shaun Marsh have been blighted by hamstring injuries throughout their careers, but both are back in action and keen to push for higher honours this summer.
Shaun was dumped from the Test team two years ago after making just 17 runs across six innings in the home series against India.
Mitchell has been touted as a future Test allrounder since making his domestic debut as a fresh-faced 17-year-old in 2009.
Now 22, Mitch has played four ODIs and three Twenty20s for Australia.
But a batting average of just 22.34 in first-class cricket and a succession of hamstring injuries have thwarted his bid to land an early Test debut.
Mitch trimmed down five kilograms over the past two months in a bid to reduce his chances of re-tearing his hamstring.
The hard-hitting right-hander showed his class with quick-fire knocks of 58 and 62 in the drawn tour match against England at the WACA Ground.
And with Shane Watson battling a hamstring injury, Mitch could earn an early Ashes call-up if he can make a glut of runs in the next two Sheffield Shield fixtures.
Shaun will have his own chance to impress when he suits up for Australia A in their four-day clash with England in Hobart, starting on Wednesday.
Geoff Marsh, who played 50 Tests for Australia from 1985-92, said his sons needed to post some big scores to catch the eye of the national selectors.
“Like every cricketer in Australia, you have to get on the park and perform consistently at domestic level,” Marsh senior said.
“If you perform consistently, then you’ll be a chance to play for Australia. But until you do that, don’t expect to be picked.
“Mitch set a goal this year to really work on his batting.
“The last couple of years, he spent a lot of time playing Twenty20 and one-day cricket.
“If you’re a young player batting at No.6 in those games, you don’t develop as fast as when you’re focusing on four-day cricket.”
Shaun has proven himself to be one of world cricket’s most explosive T20 players when he’s in a good head space.
The 30-year-old has flourished since Justin Langer took over as coach of Western Australia, and Geoff hopes his eldest son will be rewarded with a Test recall.
“I think he’s switched on and knows where he wants to go now,” Marsh senior said.
“He’s in a good place in his life, and we’re seeing that on the ground.
“He’s worked hard to get himself back on track and playing good cricket.”