Recently retired captain Michael Clarke expects the selectors to “pick and stick” with a new-look Australia Test team and believes Shaun Marsh should get first crack at the vacant opener spot.
Clarke said on Wednesday he had no regrets about his decision to retire from international cricket after the recent Ashes series loss in England and wasn’t thinking yet about returning to the game in any form, with his wife Kyly due to soon have their first child.
The selectors must rebuild the Australian team with Clarke, opener Chris Rogers, wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, allrounder Shane Watson and fast bowler Ryan Harris all retired from Test cricket in the wake of the England tour.
Clarke said the squad they chose for the recently-postponed Test tour of Bangladesh contained a lot of talent and he expected the selectors to settle on a side rather than keep changing players through the looming three-Test home series against New Zealand in November.
“I think they will pick and stick. I think they will keep the faith,” Clarke said.
“I think they probably need to now, because we’ve lost five guys (who) have walked away from our last series.
“I think they need to select who they feel are the right people to take Australian cricket forward and then keep the faith.”
While selector Mark Waugh has already said his group will choose a different lineup to face New Zealand to the squad that was selected for Bangladesh, Clarke said he expected all of the latter to potentially play some part this summer.
He believed Marsh should be given the chance to fill the opening spot left vacant by Rogers.
Marsh started the domestic season with a one-day century against South Australia on Monday and has the versatility to bat in the top or middle order.
“I would like to see Shaun Marsh certainly get an opportunity. I still think he has got a lot of runs left in him,” he said.
“The advantage with someone like Shaun is he can bat anywhere in the order, so if he doesn’t open the batting I’m hopeful they will find a place for him.
“I’ve always been a big fan of Shaun and I’d like to see them keep the faith there.”
Clarke recently withdrew from this summer’s Big Bash League T20 competition and denied a rumour linking him with English county side Somerset.
“I haven’t spoken to anybody in regards to committing to any sort of cricket at this stage,” Clarke said.
“When I announced my retirement I knew I was doing it for the right reasons. I thought hard about it before making the decision.
“I’m really comfortable with that, I have no regrets.
“I haven’t thought about cricket too much since I’ve come back to Australia. I’ve made it pretty clear I want some time away from the game.”
Apart from his preparations for his first child and a Sydney to Hobart race aboard Perpetual LOYAL, Clarke said he had been busy with his Cricket Academy and with sponsor commitments.
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