“A legendary Australian batsman of repute……truly one remarkable player” – Kings XI Punjab official website.
A casual cricket follower would be entitled to believe that was referring to Adam Gilchrist. Nope, try again.
Perhaps one could believe that description was befitting Kings coach Darren Lehmann, who averaged nearly 58 during a 20-year first class career. Wrong again.
Even armed with the knowledge that team pages are rife with embellishment, I’m still bewildered that Shaun Marsh was honoured with the hallowed “legendary Australian batsman” title, as described by the Kings.
“Shaun Marsh a legendary Australian batsman of ill repute” would be more accurate.
I know, that’s probably a bit crass of me. And I can understand why the Kings would glorify the Son of Swampy.
Marsh has been an IPL bully for six straight seasons, scoring more than 1900 runs at 45 with a record 18 scores over 50.
Chris Gayle may be the most spectacular and destructive player in the IPL’s short history, but Marsh has been arguably its most consistent.
Due to a dodgy knee, Marsh made a delayed start to season six of the IPL but has dazzled in his return with two blistering innings.
So, it’s hard not to be enamoured by the runs glutton if you’re a Kings supporter.
Unfortunately, as a Western Australian and Australian cricket fan, Marsh has been on a prolonged runs famine.
Marsh, 29, averages a tick over 35 during an underwhelming 12-year first class career, with just seven hundreds in 77 matches. He averaged less than 20 in the recent Sheffield Shield season, compounding suspicions he does not possess the mental aptitude to succeed amid the rigours of cricket’s red ball format.
Two years ago, Marsh scored a brilliant Test hundred on debut in Sri Lanka. Once again, it was false hope.
Six months later, Marsh was banished from the whites after a humiliating series against an inept Indian touring team.
Marsh scored 17 runs in his last seven Test innings, including four ducks.
Even Chris Martin is shaking his head. Unsurprisingly, Marsh hasn’t worn his Baggygreen since, and is not part of Australia’s Ashes plans.
Not yet, anyway.
Even in the coloured clothing, he has disappointed for Australia, with mediocre averages of 36 (37 matches) in ODIs and 18 (11 matches) in international T20s.
This should not be the case. As he continually demonstrates in the IPL, and spasmodically for WA/Australia, Marsh has the innate ability to be an intimidator at the crease.
When in pomp, Marsh has the skillset (generally only reserved for the greats) to eviscerate an attack, while possessing a sturdy defence.
It’s easy to understand why Marsh still has a chorus of admirers amid the Australian media and public, despite a decade of underachievement.
In desperate times, where few batsmen merit selection, his undeniable talent stands out more noticeably than Kim Kardashian’s hind
Unfortunately, Marsh’s inability to harness his potential has affected Australia’s ascension up the Test ladder. Australia is mired in mediocrity mainly because of a batting dearth. Marsh could have helped alleviate this blight.
He was Ponting’s natural successor at first drop but a combination of technique, counter-attacking instincts and grit is required to succeed at this position.
There’s just something not quite right with his makeup. I can’t quite pinpoint his flaws.
Marsh is a jittery starter, but does that mean he’s mentally fragile? Does failing to score a double century in his first class career equate to an inability to play the long haul?
Perhaps he just can’t be bothered honing his game – maybe he’s an anti-Mike Hussey.
Maybe he suffers from the T20 scourge – becoming an unwarranted overnight millionaire.
Maybe, we’ve overrated him. Maybe he ain’t Test quality. Who knows? Life’s a mystery sometimes.
I’m not suggesting his international career is finished. After all, Hussey didn’t don a Baggygreen until after 30.
And Australia’s batting is in such a parlous state that they’re bound to kowtow to the Marsh temptation eventually.
But right now, I can’t shrug off the pangs of envy that consume me.
The Kings supporters can laud, celebrate and cheer a materialised and successful Shaun Marsh.
While, for nearly the entirety of this century, I’ve been banging my head in frustration over the same cricketer.
Sport is unfair sometimes. But we supporters trudge on. Hoping.
So, I’ll back my boy.
Even if the proverbial kicks in the stomach hurt.
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