Pictured in the baggy green, Geoff and Shaun Marsh bear an uncanny resemblance. Events of this summer have also led this rare Test cricket playing duo to share more than just an external visage.
Right now they must both harbour some rather dark and confused thoughts about cricket as they pay the price for the erroneous judgements of those who determine their livelihoods.
Dean Jones’ Sunday Age batting critiques are well worth a read. He believes Shaun Marsh’s problems essentially stem from an aversion to digging in for the fight – unlike the born again run machines Ponting and Clarke.
While this may be partly true (though oddly counterintuitive to the Marsh genealogy), I’m more inclined to equate this perceived lack of application as a crisis of confidence.
Anyone who’s strapped the pads on, whatever the level, will know how this feels at some stage of their careers. The pill assumes the dimensions of an acorn.
And instead of an instinctive response, one is hopelessly constricted by over thinking technique to compensate for a disrupted muscle memory.
Perhaps underpinning Marsh’s ills is the simple fact that a first class batting average under 40, at 28 years of age, doesn’t bode well for a number 3 batsman at Test level. Not even a fourth or fifth drop for that matter – unless donning the gloves or doubling as a useful leather flinger.
While Marsh may have briefly enjoyed a sense of belonging following his debut hundred against Sri Lanka, conceivably it was never going to take much of a form lapse to rattle his psyche.
The Marsh leap of faith initially promised to be one of the more inspired judgements in recent memory, however it was undone, and then some, by the unyielding faith apparently championed by coach Mickey Arthur.
Marsh’s obviously undercooked appearance in the Boxing Day Test, and bullish selection thereafter, defied common sense and did him no favours. He’s consequently become easy prey for media and fans, much like a stuck duck in a shooting gallery (it’s contagious, sorry).
This, I believe, is far more worthy of scorn than the player himself. To see the way Marsh flailed about in Adelaide was uncomfortable viewing. Surely his rapid decline was evident in the nets?
Meanwhile, just three months into a two year contract, Geoff Marsh has fallen victim to a bizarre setup in Sri Lanka whereby the government, via the Sports Minister, has the power to set the cricket agenda on matters such as the hiring and firing of the national coach.
Agreeing with Arjuna Ranatunga feels as wrong as a deep fried Mars Bar (notwithstanding Ranatunga and deep fried Mars Bar represents a natural word association), but he was right to say that top coaches will henceforth shy away from accepting jobs with Sri Lanka.
“It is like changing the pillow to fix a headache” said Arjuna of Graham Ford’s appointment as the fourth coach since the 2011 World Cup.
Sri Lanka’s government and cricket administration either don’t realise, or care, that such inept handling of the position goes to their own inadequacies. Perhaps they’re just not accountable to anyone but the powerless cricket loving public. Instructively, the justification was all about a better future – with no actual mention of any failings or weaknesses of Marsh as a coach.
At least in Geoff’s favour, any future employers, should they exercise reasonable judgement (that word again), will afford his disastrous Sri Lankan episode the level of importance it deserves.
As a player, whether Shaun can sway the people that matter so readily is easier said than done, for it will take a welter of runs to restore faith in his ability in the long form of the game.
While his demotion would seem a fait accompli, the blind faith that condemned him to such spectacular failure at least demonstrates those running cricket in Australia appreciate the merits of exhibiting some belief in their charges. A concept Sri Lanka would do well to avail itself.
Disco
Roar Guru
Marsh's selection did not look brilliant. Plenty of observers expressed doubts as to whether he was Test standard even after his runs in Sri Lanka. That he was picked at all owed a lot to the paucity of batting options available. I agree that he was rushed back; as soon as Marsh hit that 90-odd in the hit-and-giggle, the boys' club went all giddy and backed him for an entire four-match Test series.
Disco
Roar Guru
But why was he chosen for the Test squad for SL in the first place?
Disco
Roar Guru
Langer has been a complete failure in the role and should've been sacked after the Ashes series, "one of the boys" or otherwise.
Jason
Guest
It wasn't clear whether you were saying he only scores in short form games in Asia or in short form games or in Asia (in any form). Either way, criticising the selection for a Test in Asia given that he did perform seems a bit rough on the selectors. Anyway, happy to move on.
Jeff Dowsing
Roar Pro
Well, I went to Phuket recently and didn't get any runs - so perhaps that one did slip through to the keeper!
Justin
Guest
So you missed the Asian point where he scored his century ;)
Jeff Dowsing
Roar Pro
Without wanting to stir up the whole Big Bash debate once again, that the competition took place at the same time as the test series really didn't help matters. Luckily for the selectors some outstanding individual efforts have enabled the Khawaja/Marsh curiosity to escape greater scrutiny. And to be fair to the selectors, I reckon the Warner & Hilfenhaus inclusions put them in credit. Not many would have seen those two playing, let alone thriving, just a few months ago.
Jeff Dowsing
Roar Pro
No worries Vas, it was my bad in the first place.
Jason
Guest
I was just pointing out the flaw in your statement that he could only score runs in the short form of the game. Marsh's selection looked brilliant after 2 or 3 tests when he looked every inch a test quality cricketer. After 6 tests not so much. The real problem is that he was rushed back into the test side without any decent cricket under his belt. At the time I thought UK should have been retained.
Justin
Guest
Even the sun shines on a dogs a$$ some days A couple of scores does not make the decision any better. All players at that age will revert to their long term performances IMO. Marsh has only scored 6 FC centuries yet you think he should have been picked? Please... DO you think he would suddenly come out and have a long career in Tests and average 50+? I know UK has put season upon season at 50+ and is in a much better position to succeed than Marsh ever will be... And Hughes FC average is far superior to Marsh also.
Vas Venkatramani
Guest
Sorry Jeff. What happened was that I started the post earlier this morning, but then I had to leave it due to work, and then when I hit send, others had already picked it up. My bad here :) Apologies buddy.
Chris
Guest
No, but what's he done since? It's Phil Hughes all over again...and just by the way, Hughes' Test average is better than Marsh's right now.
Jason
Guest
Did I imagine Marsh's 141 and 81 in his first 2 test innings?
Justin
Guest
Marsh should NEVER have been picked as a Test player. He can only score runs in Asia and in short formats of the game. It was a total laugh when he was picked to play Test cricket with an average of 30-odd.
Australian Rules
Guest
Ricky Ponting has batted at No.3 for longer than anyone in the history of Test cricket...Bradman included. It's time for us to find a new player to hold down the spot. Besides, I'd like to see Ricky at 4 or 5 so he can relax, score freely and hopefully have another 2 years of run-making, a la Sachin. In 2013 I'd like to see Hussey, Warner, Khawaja, Clarke, Ponting, Watson, Paine/Wade, Siddle, Pattinson, Hilfenhaus/Cummins, Lyon/Starc. Hussey began as an opener, would put some experience at the top and Cowan can take over when he cements a position (but he's no spring chicken at 28). I hope Usman makes runs and returns.
Jeff Dowsing
Roar Pro
Once again I apologise for such an obvious blue - unfortunately it wasn't so obvious to me at 1.30 this morning! Perhaps you can be my sub-editor next time Vas ;)
jameswm
Guest
I think right now it's pretty obvious Pontin should bat at 3 in the WI. It's time to bat Watson at 5 or 6 so he can recover after bowling, and Ponting is the only option there, esp now he seems to have most of his mojo back. At 4 with Marsh at 3, he's virtually been first drop all summer anyway, and coping fine. If Hussey goes first, you bring the new person in (Khawaja, Marsh, Cooper etc) at 4 or 5, even if you want them to eventually bat at 3. If Ponting is the next batsman to go, however, the new guy may need to bat at 3.
Vas Venkatramani
Guest
Jeff, it's Shaun, not Sean. The merits of your otherwise good points in this article get taken away if the subject of your article doesn't even have their name spelt right. I think Shaun Marsh's return to the team has been handled badly. He suffered a debiliating back injury (anyone who has a dodgy back can sympathise with how excruciatingly painful that is), and then was thrust in the number 3 slot on the basis of one Big Bash innings. Marsh is a talented performer, but he needs to do his rehab in the quiet surrounds of the Shield and Ryobi Cup, and not in the international scene.
Al
Guest
Totally agree chris, funny thing is we heard all about how good langer was doing after Clarke, ponting and hussey gained form, yet next to no questions asked when many of the rest continued to fail, and in marsh and hughes's case, fail badly.. It's even more frustrating when they praise him in the same sentence as the bowling coach whom unlike langer has clearly helped in leaps and bounds! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Jeff Dowsing
Roar Pro
Right you are, sorry. Yes - Shaun as in Shaun of the Dead...