"We haven't really played much red-ball cricket in the sub-continent, apart from Dubai two years ago. I think the conditions here are exactly what we've come to expect. Don't think the wicket for the three-day game is going to be a bunsen burner, we'll just do our best to prepare for the first Test," Marsh said on the eve of the three-day encounter.
Australia have taken the task of improving their lacklustre record in the sub-continent very seriously, sending their squad to Sri Lanka well in advance of the first Test, starting on July 26. The squad has indulged in an intra-squad match, giving the players the chance to get used to the 'alien' conditions.
"Getting used to these conditions, batting in this sort of heat, so that was really nice. It was nice to bowl with the red ball again," he opined.
Having spent considerable amount of time in Sri Lanka, Steven Smith and the think-tank would've devised strategies in order to ensure they field their best XI in the first Test in Colombo. The all-rounder is ready to step up and take more responsibility as the third seamer if Australia decide to field two spinners in Nathan Lyon and left-arm tweaker Steve O'Keefe.
"If we've got two spinners, I'll probably bowl a little bit more with the newer ball being the third seamer. Whatever the selectors go with, I'll prepare the best I can," he said.
Marsh conceded that it'd suit him to bowl early on when the ball is harder, but vowed to take on any role and bowl aggressively and to the available conditions.
"It's always nice in these conditions to bowl when the ball's a little bit harder and potentially swinging a little bit. But I don't really mind to be honest. For me it's about just playing the conditions. I'll be attacking the stumps as much as I can with fields that allow me to bowl like that (aggressively). And depending on who's bowling at the other end, my role will change," he said.
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