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Faulk in the road for Test selectors

James Faulkner is underrated in the whites. AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK
Roar Guru
21st October, 2014
30

With the line-up for this week’s first Test against Pakistan still to be confirmed, forgotten allrounder James Faulkner must be wondering if he’s developed an air of invisibility in the presence of national selectors.

With all the talk centred on a likely Test debut for short-form specialist Mitchell Marsh, the forgotten Faulkner sits at the back of the classroom, arms flailing, amid hopes of breaking the one-Test-wonder shackles.

Unfortunately for Marsh, his early days mirror those of injury-prone brother Shaun, meaning if he’s not about to return from injury then he’s a quick single from finding one.

Already on the comeback trail from an injured hamstring sustained on this tour, Test selection would place unnecessary pressure on Marsh’s body with a home summer and World Cup on the horizon, not to mention the risk of leaving the team short under trying Middle Eastern conditions.

Five days in 40-plus degree temperatures on a bogus hammy is no place to be blooding one of the country’s best talents.

While hammering white balls into the Swan River attracts the glamour, charging in off the long run late on day four with the enemy closing wins the medals.

Earmarked as a future replacement for Shane Watson, Marsh’s Test selection this week would be the perfect step to duplicating Watson’s path to endless ice buckets and summers on the couch cursing the Nine commentary team.

Regardless of Marsh’s health, Faulkner fits the bill as best available long-form pace bowling allrounder in the squad.

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The Tasmanian’s bowling is match hardened for the red-ball game, with almost triple the amount of overs compared to Marsh across roughly the same number of appearances, indicating the left armer’s resilience to multiple spells.

Mitch Marsh’s day is not upon us. Here’s hoping the powers that be provide the desired program for a long and sustainable career across all forms.

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