Western Australia batsman Shaun Marsh has been added to Australia’s Test squad for the first match against India at the Adelaide Oval.
Marsh has been added as injury cover for Michael Clarke, who is still on the mend after injuring his hamstrings in the one day series against South Africa.
His addition means he will play in the game if Clarke is ruled out, batting up the order. The skipper is still in plenty of doubt to take part in the match.
Clarke hasn’t been officially ruled out since the Test was rescheduled following the tragic death of Australian and New South Wales batsman Phillip Hughes. He will be given until the very last morning to prove his fitness.
The tragedy has largely overshadowed all on-field matters, as the Australian players, administrators and public come to terms with the loss of the young player in such unexpected circumstances.
There are now 13 players in the Australian Test squad, including Marsh, Clarke, and an extra pace bowler.
One of Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle won’t play in Adelaide, with Ryan Harris declaring earlier this week that he’s not sure he’ll be mentally ready to play in the match.
The fortunes of Mitchell Marsh and Shane Watson are also one to watch. At this stage it looks as though both will take part in the game, but if Watson is fit to bowl, and Clarke is also fit, it may mean one of Watson and the younger Marsh will miss out.
If both Mitchell and Shaun play, it will be the first time since the Waugh twins played together that brothers took the field for Australia.
Shaun has played nine Tests for Australia, racking up two hundreds; one on debut against Sri Lanka, one against South Africa.
The accomplished left hander has long been considered as a future Test star, and two centuries in the Sheffield Shield this year earned him a recall to the squad.
The 13-player Australian squad for the first Test:
Michael Clarke (c)*
Brad Haddin (vc)
Ryan Harris
Josh Hazlewood
Mitchell Johnson
Nathan Lyon
Shaun Marsh
Mitchell Marsh
Chris Rogers
Peter Siddle
Steve Smith
David Warner
Shane Watson
CoverPoint
Guest
Well Tom from Perth, I am certainly not surprised at your stance given your handle.
Khan
Roar Rookie
I am glad to see cricket back on the agenda and minds of players and fans. Passing of Phil Hughes was absolutely horrendous and will leave a permanent scar and he will be remembered for ever. While Marsh's form has been up and down in test cricket he seems one player in form in domestic cricket. Apart from Khwaja. While it would be fool hardy, I suspect Clarke will play even risking aggravating injury further. So Marsh will probably go back to Shield cricket.
Khan
Roar Rookie
Khawjaa came back in the last shield game and his form in the matador cup cannot be ignored, our ODI team is full of batsman but we can find him room in the test side
Khan
Roar Rookie
It's shame they haven't gone with Khawaja. In good form from the matador cup and I feel ready to make an impact on Test match cricket. Marsh hasn't had consistency when he has had the opportunities in the past and I feel the selectors might have missed a trick here as we have a world class 3 in Khawaja. All that being said good luck to Marsh if he plays, hopefully makes some runs
Khan
Roar Rookie
I don't think Marsh will survive at the top, if he fails then bring in Khawaja who is a long term test star for us. I always said that both Hughes and Khawaja were the best young batsman we have and we made the mistake of not giving Hughes time in the middle and lets not make the same mistake with Khawaja. My thoughts are with the Hughes family, we miss him.
Swampy
Guest
Giddyup - can never have enough Marshes in the Aussie cricket team.
Shortfineleg
Guest
A long term of average of 36 over 13 years shows what he is capable of. This isn't brain surgery, you can cut and paste whatever window of form you like (my fave is his last Indian series), but his ability is measured by his long term average. 36 is pathetic. It is reflected in his test return of 32 at the higher level.
Shortfineleg
Guest
I wish Geoff had of.
Don Freo
Guest
There you go...get it right ShortPete.
Rellum
Roar Guru
How is Harts batting falling away in the Shield. He had one bad game.
Don Freo
Guest
I'm a big fan of Ferguson too and would have been happy for him to be selected.
Joel
Roar Rookie
I am not a redbacks fan, but I still think there are 2 players there more deserving than Marsh
dan ced
Guest
No worries, there is a possibility he will have a fantastic series, if he is at his best. Matt Wade should not have been selected for the ODI squad but he didn't really put a foot wrong in the series just gone so not all selections I consider bad work out terribly. Some of my hatred for S.Marsh is irrational, just as some of my fanboying of various Redbacks players current and former is biased, but both are fundamentally based on the truth (in my opinion)
Don Freo
Guest
What?...Haven't you followed this season's results. No need to research, it's not that hard to find. Go to Cricket Australia or Cricinfo websites and look at Sheffield Shield/ Points Table. Duh! You seem to not know this season has begun. We're into game 5 on Tuesday.
Don Freo
Guest
Care to mention his average for this season? You don't pick teams based on form over 13 years. I know you're thick, ShortPete, but surely you can't be that thick.
Joel
Roar Rookie
Do you have any research to back that seemingly ridiculous statement? NSW are the champs after all..
Don Freo
Guest
Marsh has also played less innings because WA keeps winning too easily and only bat down to Klinger and Voges. Of course you'll get more if you bat more.
Don Freo
Guest
...and a 99, caught behind off the shirt. He's not ready yet, though. He is just starting to find his game...that balance between solid, safe protection of his wicket and the confidence and freedom to punish a loose ball. The one who is ready is the batsman who can milk ones and twos off good balls, turning the strike. Experience does that which is why I like our late 20s and early 30s batsmen who have taken time but are now there... Marsh, Ferguson, Khawaja...and, surprisingly, Cowan.
Don Freo
Guest
Brad Hogg did as well as Trent Lawford but you are talking grade cricket now. I'm not sure the selectors will follow your selection criterion. They pick Shaun Marsh because he is really good. I have also argued for Watson, Maxwell (not in Test cricket) and Hartley (although his batting is falling away in Shield). Big fan of Ussie too. There's not room for all of them but, once they are selected, I like to support them. There's only one who has been selected that I didn't rank and couldn't support...and I was proven right there. I like to challenge the haters
JohnB
Guest
Yes, Klinger is 34. Marsh is 30,31 I think. Rather like with Voges (who's older than Klinger but arguably a better player) and who otherwise might be considered, I don't think there's much point in picking a player in his mid-30s if there's a younger alternative who's as good or very close to it (Burns, Ferguson or whoever). Klinger (who to me was always a bit of a poor man's Rob Quiney anyway) had some chance about 4 or 5 years ago but had a poor season at the wrong time. If a 33 or 34 year old suddenly blossoms from solid to dominant and is making runs hand over fist, consider him by all means. But that isn't the case here. North retired didn't he? I mentioned Bancroft above but not saying he should be in. However, he must have put himself on the radar.