Shaun Marsh is back, that’s what we have heard. Watson is out, no longer able to take his place on the field, and like many times before, possibly out for the tour.
Selectors have made a strange decision going back to Marsh, which has many bewildered, wondering how can he possibly have been ruled out to begin with?
We heard his calf was not able to recover in time for the first test, yet there he was back playing for Perth.
The fact was Marsh was most likely going to be fit for the first test but was not going to be fit for the now cancelled practice match.
So in hindsight, Phil Hughes should be the one getting the call up now, not Marsh.
On Friday, Hughes impressed onlookers in an intra-team hit out, with a fighting 83 facing the likes of Harris, Lyon, Siddle and Pattinson – Johnson did not bowl to Hughes, which may have shaken things up a bit more for him.
Nevertheless it was an innings that probably won some respect from his fellow teammates, even if through frustration of there own.
Doolan looked elegant, but even he could not convert his start.
Henriques was unthreatening with both bat and ball, however could well be wearing his baggy green loud and proud on Wednesday with the news of Shane Watson breaking down again.
Henriques did impress in the first test against India in February, but he is known to many as a real straggler when things aren’t going his way.
Doolan fits the bill – he is very much a perfect looking cricketer – but you could say the same about Marsh.
Marsh is considered the special one, the player that everyone thinks has more talent than any in Australia.
His average though would certainly not suggest that.
His selection in the first place got people fired up, now that he is back there will be more coffee being spat.
Marcus North and Cameron White are two experienced soldiers who both had shocker seasons last year, but this year they have become two different players in two different roles.
North now an opener, White now batting up to 3 and 4 and opening in T20’s.
White’s game has changed from the aggressive slogger to what you could say is a much more defensive approach – some even saying his defensive game is in the top-five in Australia right now.
North is a handy off-spinner too, and his consistency has very much improved. He is scoring 100’s for fun this season.
Who knows whether the incident with his brother has affected him so much he asked not be selected, or whether it was just a ‘no more North’ decision by the selectors, but you could say he very much would have fitted in this side over Marsh.
As we look to the first test we have an interesting choice to make. The pitch is considered a seamers paradise, it will be tough runs.
Is Marsh tough enough? Yeah, he could be, but my bet is on no.
Hughes is tough, he has worked his way through the hard way, while Marsh and Doolan you could probably say have had it much easier.
There is a fire in the belly there for Hughes, but it may be the last test that gives him that chance, by then it could be all too late.
My predicted first test squad:
Warner
Rogers
Marsh
Clarke
Smith
Doolan
Haddin
Johnson
Harris
Siddle
Lyon
What I would have liked:
Warner
Rogers
Hughes
Clarke
Smith
Watson
Haddin
Johnson
Harris
Siddle
Lyon
James
Guest
Well from all reports Phil Hughes is a ripper of a bloke, but he must make good when he next gets an opportunity. 45 test innings is a long drought without a 100 (or any scores in the 90's either). His selection isn't as obvious as everyone would suggest.
Stephen
Guest
To Nick and Jason re Shaun Marsh. That "excuse of a batsman" just made 122 not out against the best bowling attack in world cricket today and played one of the best test innings by any player in the last 12 months. Well picked fellas.
CoverPoint
Guest
I see your point to some extent although I have to say that after more than 10 years of first class cricket, we have yet see consistency from Marsh. It's time to cut our losses on Marsh and gamble on younger and more consistent players.
James
Guest
The thing about selecting Marsh is the high risk, high reward. You have to understand that perhaps the biggest thing that has interrupted him throughout his career is injury. So often when he plays himself into form he gets injured, which definitely has a detrimental affect on his batting average. That is a big reason why despite being born into cricket he still has played 21 less first class matches than Phil Hughes who is five years his junior.
a punter
Guest
Luke, I can understand why people could be cautious about Hughes because he has failed in the past. It is difficult for any batsman to establish himself as a test player especially on a tour away from home. But my point is this, if a guy who has the best first class stats over the past couple of seasons struggles to establish himself, how are guys like Marsh whose averages is less than half of Hughes's average going to go? You have to expect that they have a smaller probability of success.
Hammer
Guest
Hughes is inadequate at Test cricket and has had many chances at the highest level, just because someone averages high in domestic cricket doesn't always mean he's going to be fantastic. Give Marsh a chance, I know that's hard for all you eastern states to do.
Luke
Guest
From my understanding Marsh ruled himself out initially - He said he had to make a decision in the best interest of the team, and he didn't know how quickly he could recover from the injury. Boof was a coach of Marsh's side in the IPL so maybe in part that is why he has the confidence of the coach. Hughes has always done well in first class but has struggled to take that consistency to the next level, he has had plenty of opportunities and not always grabbed them. Phil Hughes may end up being a great test cricketer but it should be no surprise why the selectors are a little cautious to run with him. Selectors have shown a lot of faith in Hughes, and need to see more than the 32.65 average he has delivered in 49 innings.
Swampy
Guest
Can we send Shane Watson by boat next time - clearly any flight further than Adelaide is precarious for his finely tuned muscular frame. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
jameswm
Guest
Could do a lot worse...
Axle an the guru
Guest
Ive got an out of the box selection for you recall Katich an bat him at 3 -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
sambo
Guest
Australian selectors continue to confound everyone with their left field selections. Pick players on form and not the lucky dip system which seems to prevail.
Axle an the guru
Guest
The biggest problem with test selectoin is that our selctors have always had favorites an have never picked the form side they should im no fan of M North but his form tells everyone that he should be number 3 ahead of both Marsh an Hughes it is a critical spot in the batting line up all we are doing with it is turning it into a joke if Marsh or Hughes bats at 3 we will more than likely have a batting collapse open with Hughes forget Marsh for now an bat Rogers at 3 for the moment at least then we would hav experience coming in at 3 fly North over for the next test bat him at 3 drop Hughes an put Rogers back were he belongs -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Jason Rebelo
Roar Pro
I dont think they're going to be stupid enough to play Marsh in the first test. He's had no time to acclimatise, and probably hasnt even had a net session. It would be lambs to the slaughter. However, our selectors are the worst in world cricket, so it wouldnt surprise me if that excuse of a batsman named Shaun Marsh got a look in ahead of Hughes.