Australian will go into the fifth and final Test against England at the Oval having taken an Ashes-retaining 2-1 lead in the series. The visitors have brought in all-rounder Mitchell Marsh to provide the extra bowling option after a long and tiring series.

Now that Marsh is set to replace Travis Head in the playing XI, Australia skipper Tim Paine wants the former to emulate the fitness and durability of Ben Stokes, who bowled 24 overs practically unchanged at Headingley before playing an extraordinary knock of 135 not out to take England home by 1-wicket.

"During this Ashes, even watching Ben Stokes go about it, we've constantly spoken to him about him being at that level of fitness where you can bowl 25, 30 overs and then come out and score a hundred. That's something that Mitch has watched up close, and something that he's aspiring to," Paine told reporters on the eve of the Oval Test.

Paine also praised Marsh for responding positively after being snub owing to poor performances in the UAE against Pakistan and at home against India.

"I think Mitch has worked his backside off for the last six or seven months. He got some pretty honest feedback when he was dropped during the Indian series, about where he was at both physically and with his cricket," he added.

Marsh recently impressed one and all with his all-round showing in the tour match against Derbyshire. The 27-year-old top-scored with 74 in Australia's 338-5 declared in Derby. He then picked up two wickets in three balls as Derbyshire were bowled out for 112 in their second innings before lunch on the third and final day with Australia winning the contest by an innings and 54 runs.

“Obviously if you're a boy the size he is, it's hard to run in all day when you're carrying a few extra kilos. So he's worked hard to work them off. He's always worked very hard on his cricket, and we know the talent that he's got. So we're looking forward to seeing him put all his hard work into action this week,” Paine said.

(With ICC inputs)