Mitch Marsh ready to increase bowling load in the absence of Test teammate Cameron Green

Mitch Marsh declared he’s ready to up his bowling loads from zero to as much as his captain Pat Cummins needs as injured Test all-rounder Cameron Green headed to New Zealand for back surgery “heartbroken” he’ll miss the next six months of cricket.

Green posted on social media on Wednesday as he headed to Christchurch for the operation he and Cricket Australia hope will prolong his all-format career despite the pain of losing him for the blockbuster series against India.

“En route to Christchurch. Thanks for all the kind messages this week,” he posted on Instagram.

“Heartbroken but let’s get a new back.”

With Green ruled out, his bowling load in the five matches against India, beginning in Perth next month, could need to be covered by fellow all-rounder Marsh, who has hardly bowled in 2024 after battling a serious hamstring injury.

He pulled up sore after his return to bowling during the ODI series against England that lasted just four overs.

The Allan Border medallist didn’t bowl in Western Australia’s opening Sheffield Shield match against Queensland last week either and has not bowled more than six overs in any of his past 12 Test matches, as Green shouldered a bigger share of the load.

But while national selection chief George Bailey hinted that bowling relief could be drafted in to help Australia’s frontline quicks in Green’s absence, Marsh said he would bowl in WA’s next game and “build things up” for the Test series.

“I will bowl against Tassie. It’s been a slow build,” he said on Wednesday in Perth as the 2025-26 Ashes opener was locked in for his hometown.

“I have been really well looked after by Cricket Australia and by Ronny (Andrew McDonald) and by Patty (Cummins), just our planning around when I bowl.

“I love bowling, so I’m looking forward to bowling for Western Australia this week and build things up to that first Test.”

While Bailey said having all-rounders in the Test squad was a “luxury”, Marsh, who scoffed at any suggestion he would be an option to open the batting, could see the importance of being able to contribute, more so with Green out.

“I see the all-rounder role being really important, especially for when our bowlers need a bit of a break,” he said.

“I think if you look back at the last few seasons, our all-rounders have bowled maybe 10, 13 overs a game, which is not really a lot, but those overs can be really important.”

Marsh, 32, said he would bowl as much as “Patty needs me to”, referring to Cummins, who could need all the help he can get during the series.

Having played with Green as the young star emerged as a three-form cricketing force, Marsh said he was “shattered” for his Test and WA teammate.

“He just loves cricket, he loves playing cricket for Australia. What I know about Cam is he will be back and we will welcome him back with open arms.

“From all reports he’s pretty good, initially there is always a shock. It all happened pretty quickly. Certainly with stress fractures they can be quite a gradual thing, but this one came pretty quickly.

“Someone like Cam with his attitude towards the game, he loves it, the thought of missing that much cricket is probably a little daunting for him, but he’s accepted it now and as an athlete you go through these things.

“It’s an opportunity for him to come back better and I have no doubt that he will.”