He may have fallen painfully short of a Test century against South Africa on Day Two, but Mitchell Marsh has been backed by Simon Katich to go all the way in the Australian side viewed as an ideal future captain.

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Though only 28, replacements for current captain Steve Smith are already being discussed with Pat Cummins one name already thrown into the ring.

In a rich vein of form however after being recalled midway through the Ashes series with two centuries to his name, Marsh has been added to the list by Katich, who himself captained New South Wales in Sheffield Shield.

“I think Mitch Marsh should be the one that is captain in front of him (Cummins) when Steve Smith is done and dusted,” Katich said on SEN.

“If he keeps going at this rate and improving the way he has with the bat and contributing with the ball, then down the track potentially he’s the man.”

What a day of Test cricket! Here is some audio to get you all caught up on what is happening in #SAvAUS 🏏@GerardWhateley and Simon Katich chat with Mitch Starc 👉 https://t.co/eJyOaTd0fK



Simon Katich declares Mitchell Marsh a future captain 👉 https://t.co/OvFEpcNDgJ pic.twitter.com/FUKpNHflUB — SEN 1116 (@SENNews) March 2, 2018





Marsh steadied the Australian ship in their first Test against South Africa with a composed knock of 96 handing the Aussies the advantage after the Proteas were rolled for just 162 in response.

Along with his brother Shaun, Mitch is no stranger to criticism and struggled in national colours prior to his latest recall having averaged just over 21 runs across his first 21 Tests.

But the 26-year-old is making the most of his latest lifeline and earned the praise of Australian legend Allan Border after his latest effort with the willow.

“I think he’s starting to understand what it takes to become a Test match batsman, building a Test match innings,” Border said.

“We saw a couple of instance through the Ashes series how he’s matured and this is a very mature innings here in Durban.”