Chappel backs Mitchell Marsh for vice-captaincy role

Australian national selector Greg Chappel believes that all-rounder Mitchell Marsh is an appropriate candidate for the role of vice-captaincy of the national team.

Chappel said that Marsh, being the captain of Australia A team, would surely prove to be a good option for the position, cricket.com.au reported.

"We do have three or four guys who are going to be quite capable. There is an opportunity for them to get some experience in leadership roles. We want to give them leadership opportunities and (Marsh) is one that has got that opportunity. He is captaining Western Australia and he has been identified as a leader for the future," Fairfax quoted Chappel, as saying.

"He will get that opportunity (against India A) and I am sure he will do a good job. I saw him at the Under 19 level - he has got some natural leadership skills. The more opportunities he gets, the better he will get at it," he added.

The Australian team had to go through a major leadership reshuffle after their former captain Steve Smith and former vice-captain David Warner were handed a one-year ban by the Cricket Australia for their involvement in a massive ball-tampering scandal that took place during the four-match Test series against South Africa at New Lands.

Since then, the team have been struggling to get a perfect combination of players and leaders in the squad.

Earlier, Australian bowler Pat Cummins had endorsed the name of pacer Josh Hazelwood for the vice-captaincy role.Hazelwood had responded in a positive tone and had asserted that it is an exciting role that brings out the best in players.

Apart from Hazelwood and Marsh, there are other names like Mitchell Starc and Nathon Lyon who are likely to be considered for the position of Tim Paine's deputy.