Determined Marsh upbeat about middle-order success against Lanka

Melbourne, July 22 (ANI): Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh believes he now has all the required qualities to emerge as a successful middle-order batsman in foreign conditions as he is looking forward to sweep away Sri Lanka in the upcoming Test series. Marsh, who was a part of Australia's 15-man squad that arrived in Kandy to finalise their preparation for the first Test, has been struggling with the bat in recent times, especially against local off-spinner Shehan Jayasuriya. The 24-year-old is currently undergoing training to reshape his batting performance which demands intensive power and physical presence to succeed as a middle-order player in international surroundings. "I've done a lot of work in the nets over the last probably six months playing spin and trying to improve.The biggest thing here (in Sri Lanka) is if it is turning, to make sure that you have a game plan and that you stick to it from ball one. It's all about being sharp as you can," Marsh was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. The right-hander revealed that he had really worked hard on his sweep shots over the last few months and that he is looking forward to implement the same well in the upcoming series. "It's also a great weapon to mess up the bowlers' lengths and do something different, and also to get off strike which is probably the most important thing. So hopefully I'll be out there long enough to play it," he added. Marsh, whose batting average in Tests is just 23, had scored 25 runs from 38 balls he played in the first innings of the lone tour match between Australia and Sri Lankan Board XI. The visitors went on to win the match by an innings and 162 runs at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium in Colombo. The Steve Smith-led side will play three-match Test series against Sri Lanka, starting at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium from Tuesday. (ANI)