Mitch Marsh has left the door open for an unlikely Test recall, despite having likely played his last Sheffield Shield game for Western Australia.
Marsh told state teammates on Sunday night he intended to retire from first-class cricket at season's end, finishing a 16-year Shield career in the west.
Western Australia officials confirmed the news on Monday night, but in a statement said the allrounder was "still open to the prospect of playing Test cricket".
A part of the Test side's middle order at the start of last summer, Australia's T20 captain was floated as an unlikely option to open for the side in this Ashes summer.
He was overlooked and while the potential of a later recall has lingered, Marsh made scores of nine and four in his Sheffield Shield return over the weekend.
That four-day match against Victoria could well be his last, given the Shield goes on hiatus during the BBL, where Marsh will captain the Scorchers.
The T20 World Cup will then follow, meaning the only Shield game Marsh could potentially play for Western Australia would be in the last round or final.
Selectors could still theoretically pick Marsh out of the T20 set-up to play Test cricket, but such a move would be unconventional.
"It has been an honour to play Sheffield Shield cricket for WA," Marsh said.
"Right now I am deeply committed to the group and the Scorchers. WA cricket has been a huge part of my life and I plan to give back in any way possible long into the future."
One of Western Australia's best young talents of this century, Marsh made his Shield debut for the state in 2009-10.
He forced his way into the national team five years later, and has since played 46 Tests for Australia.
The 34-year-old's career has appeared over previously, only for him to earn an 18-month final stint in the Test side after a brilliant comeback in the 2023 Ashes.
Marsh's international workload has drastically reduced his Shield cricket in recent seasons, with last weekend's match against Victoria his first since the start of the 2023-24 summer.
In total, the former Western Australia captain has played just six Shield games for his state in the past six-and-a-half seasons.
“Mitch embodies everything about what it means to be a Sheffield Shield player for Western Australia," coach Adam Voges said.
“From playing alongside him to coaching him in more recent times, he’s given his all for his state.
“It’s been a privilege to watch him progress from Sheffield Shield to being a very successful player at international level for Australia.
“He’s an outstanding character on and off the field and it’s been a pleasure to play a part in his journey.”
