I can’t remember an unveiling of a Champions Trophy squad reverberating in the Australian sports consciousness.
The ICC Champions Trophy is deemed to be the second most prestigious 50-over event in world cricket.
US$2m prize money for the winner is testament to that.
The dirty little secret? The Champions Trophy has never resonated in Australia. This partly can be attributed to the event generally being staged during the fever pitch of the seasons of the Australian football codes, which dominates the landscape down under.
Apathy is due to the Australian public’s scant regard for the lucrative tournament. In other words, the Champions Trophy is consigned into the ‘meaningless’ waste bin. Australian sports fans tune out of perceived insignificant contests.
Few Australians, even ardent cricket fans, would know their team is the two-time defending champions of the event (cut to Aussie fans staring blankly). Most would fail to remember that Australia hoisted the 2009 trophy after defeating New Zealand in the final (cut to Aussie fans looking bewildered).
Announcement of the squad was met with unusual fanfare in the media and public. But, this is indeed an unusual cricket year, with twin Ashes series on the horizon.
Australian supporters aren’t really perturbed about winning the Champions Trophy. Sure, it’s always nice to hoard silverware but more importantly, performances will be crucial in shaping Australia’s bid to reclaim the fragile urn.
The spotlight will no doubt shine brightly on Michael Clarke’s bothersome back, the inconsistent Phil Hughes and the neglected Matthew Wade.
But I’m more focused on the periphery.
When the contentious Ashes squad was announced, Chairman of Selectors John Inverarity hinted that further players could be added.
If Mitch Johnson eradicates his erratic scourge (I know, big if) during the Champions Trophy, it could extend his England journey.
Big scores combined with exhibiting a healthy dose of leadership could earn George Bailey a Baggy Green.
Honestly, what am I most excited about? The Mitch Marsh versus Shane Watson subplot.
This seems premature, for Marsh is just 21 years of age, which coincidentally is his mediocre first class batting average. So, it’s highly unlikely he’ll be thrust into the Ashes cauldron to battle an experienced England attack with just one first class ton under his belt.
But what we do know is that Australia has an obsession with unfurling a genuine all-rounder. This explains the persistence with the Watson delusion.
Watson has represented Australian cricket’s great hope since the tail of the Steve Waugh era. Despite decades of dominance, Australian cricket has been unable to discover a precocious all-rounder since the days of Benaud and Davidson.
While he has carved an ODI and T20 niche as a swashbuckling all-rounder, Watson’s Test career stalled due to a plethora of injuries and inconsistencies. It appeared the chiselled mannequin had been carved of jelly.
When the injury curse reared its ugly head and without a Test ton in three years, Watson’s all-round versatility was eroded when he focused on being a specialist bat. It was a spectacular failure.
Watson has revived his bowling during the IPL in a desperate bid to save his international career in the whites. Playing as a number six all-rounder is set to determine his Test career in England.
But we must take heed from history. Watson will probably struggle with willow and/or succumb to his fragile body.
Eventually, Marsh will receive Watson’s baton of burden. Despite a disappointing IPL, punctuated by a savage Chris Gayle assault, Marsh possesses the all-round talents Australia so desperately craves to help start a climb up the Test tree.
Remember when Andrew Flintoff nearly single-handily eviscerated an all-conquering Australian team in 2005? Well, those apparitions were fleetingly reincarnated by Marsh during the Australian summer.
I’ve seen him scythe high-credentialed batsmen with his 140km/h fury. I’ve witnessed his destructive batting nearly maim spectators.
Sure, these heroics have been consigned to the shorter formats in domestic cricket. But, Marsh is a once in a generation talent. He’s a top six bat capable of opening an attack.
Inevitably, there are question marks. He has already had off-field indiscretions, including an infamous boozy bender in South Africa late last year. Is his temperament a concern? Will he suffer the ‘too rich, too soon’ bane? Is Shaun Marsh’s lack of work ethic genetic?
Honestly, I would start him amid the Ashes intensity. We’ve exhausted our trips to the Watson Well. Australian cricket needs to find new heroes.
Mitch Marsh, over to you.
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