Shaun Marsh and Cameron White appear to be in a two-man battle to take Michael Clarke’s World Cup spot if the Australian captain doesn’t regain fitness.
The pair have a lot in common. Both were prodigies, debuting for their respective States aged just 17-years-old in the 2000-01 season.
Both have been maligned for their inability to fully exploit their enormous gifts. Both have had opportunities at Test level that they have failed to grasp. And, most relevantly at this point, both have had stilted careers in coloured clothing for Australia.
Marsh has played 45 ODIs over the space of almost seven years. White has notched 87 matches since debuting in 2005.
Five years ago, White was fast becoming one of the elite ODI batsmen in the world and looked set to play 200-plus matches for his country.
During a 14-month period from September 2009 to November 2010, White crunched 1397 runs at an average of 45. He had locked down the number five spot with his canny ability to switch gears during digs.
When entering with Australia’s innings on the rocks, White showed the maturity to guide them into safer waters. Most significantly, however, was the way in which he could lay waste to an opponent in the late stages of an innings.
White’s capacity for front foot bludgeoning was matched by few. This was encapsulated in his knock against India at Visakhapatnam in October, 2010. When the Victorian came to the crease, Australia were 3-160 with 13 overs left, looking set for a reasonable score of 260-270. White rounded on the Indian bowlers, crashing six sixes amid an innings of 89 from 49 balls to haul Australia to a total of 289.
It is this sort of match-changing striking which sets White apart from Marsh.
The smaller West Australian has a finer touch than ‘Bear’ White and is more adept at manipulating the ball into gaps in the field for one and twos. He does not, however, possess the brutal power of White.
Marsh is a wonderful T20 player and has demolished many an attack in that format. But he is less likely to alter the course of a match in a matter of overs in the manner which White can.
Against NSW in October, White began his dig in a relatively sedate fashion, cruising to 40 from 53 balls. Recognising that the Bushrangers needed a big score on the diminutive North Sydney Oval, he then ran amok clattering 67 from 31 balls in an innings which included eight sixes.
White was named the player of the tournament after amassing 354 runs at 58 with a strike rate of just under 100. That followed a dominant 2013-14 Ryobi Cup by both players, with White making 387 runs at 77 and Marsh 304 at 76.
Counting against Marsh is the fact he missed this year’s domestic competition through injury and has not played a 50-over game in 12 months.
His last outing was for Australia against England at Adelaide where he made 36 opening the batting with Aaron Finch. Across four matches in that series, Marsh was a solid contributor with 177 runs at 59.
The question is whether Australia need another batsman capable of creating carnage, like White, or whether they will seek a steadier hand like Marsh.
White is perfect for the middle order, whereas Marsh shapes as a better option in the top three where he can anchor an innings and allow the likes of David Warner, Shane Watson and Glenn Maxwell to go hard at the bowlers.
He has been a consistent performer in ODIs, with three tons and 10 fifties from 44 innings, to go with an average of 40. Australia’s top order of Warner, Watson and Finch appears set in stone though, while Steve Smith is now a fixture at four.
It is in the middle order where Australia are weak due to the prolonged form slumps of George Bailey and Maxwell.
A fit Clarke would help add stability to this part of the Australian line-up. If he can’t make his fitness deadline, White is his best replacement.
Don Freo
Guest
Have you read a comment about Shaun Marsh in that last comment about Bailey and White? Wow! That's paranoia.
Jrod
Guest
I made an early comment here, got the email updates. This has turned into donfreo spamming anyone's view who doesn't pick the western Australian. Some moderation is called for from site owners. The debate should be a real one and one person's point 500 times doesn't add anything at all to the user experience, it detracts.
Don Freo
Guest
Similar games, Craig? Their games are poles apart. White would never be trusted with the ball...you may as well get Shaun to bowl. Close in fielders are not the requirements for ODI. We need Marsh's pace, ground fielding and arm in ODI. White lumbers and has a blancmange arm.
Don Freo
Guest
You'll be using a slips cordon in ODIs, Clavers?
Don Freo
Guest
Pick Marsh. A good starter is of far more value than a good finisher. Marsh has shown that his good starts always end up making him the best finisher.
Don Freo
Guest
Only in slip. Not much call for that in ODI.
Don Freo
Guest
Marsh has scored 3 centuries this season and a 99 and a 73 batting 5 or 6. Go figure!
Don Freo
Guest
Not so much that Bailey's star rose...Cam White didn't score a run for 6 years...from the moment he was made captain of Victoria. Some handle the responsibility, some don't.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Yes Marsh easily.
Don Freo
Guest
Two games in three days would say otherwise. White is just a hitter like Johnson, NCN or Starc. Can't bowl much. Marsh just keeps on giving.
Don Freo
Guest
It would be a very rare occasion where Shaun Marsh looks " hopeless" in 50 over or T20 cricket. When Marsh, Maxwell or Watson are concerned, there is selective ignorance of what is reality and what is fancy. ODD average...when? Numbers please. Marsh is usually playing for Australia. I'd be very surprised if Klinger's ODD average is better than Marsh's ODI.
dan ced
Guest
I agree :D Ever reliable, has been pretty good each BBL season. Currently leading run scorer in the BBL tournament. ODD average is better than Marsh. First class average is better than Marsh. I think Klinger can control the pace of his innings where necessary but Marsh either looks hopeless or classy, not much in between. Klinger also has bundles of leadership experience.
Craig Watson
Guest
Hard to split SOS and Bear. Both have similar games with Marsh perhaps the better accumulator of runs. On the flipside White could provide some useful overs with his leggies/toppies. He is also a superb close in fielder. Both are quality players with mountains of experience. White for mine as he brings more balance to the side..but it is close.
Craig Watson
Guest
If the panel are now considering White. The question is why was he not chosen in the original squad? These clowns of selectors come up with some puzzling moves. White would have been a safer bet than Maxwell. He is more reliable and has a similar game in that he could provide useful part time wristies to go with his power hitting. He also has years of mentorship as captain for the Vics. So now the big Victorian's only chance is for Clarke not to to get up in time or for one of the batting lineup to get injured. Anyone interested in kneecapping Watto or Maxie. @ (forgot how to get a happy face?) LOL
Bovs
Guest
Marsh perfectly displaying that he is the perfect balance between strokeplayer and power hitter to slot into the middle-order. White is really just a hitter suitable for batting in a 20-20 game or acting as a finisher in an ODI... no different to Maxwell and Faulkner except they both offer more with the ball. I would argue that the main difference between picking a T20 and ODI team is that in T20 you pretty much need a hitter at the crease throughout the innings, so you probably need at least 4 in the lineup. For an ODI, you need hitters at the start and finish, but guys that can accumulate through the middle overs as well without losing their wicket cheaply. If White is picked to replace Clarke, you're pretty much left with only Smith and Bailey to fill that role and it starts to look a lot more like a T20 side.
Ray Bullock
Guest
Forget White and Marsh. Lynn , Voges , Klinger ,all deserve some national duties. Where as White is a good domestic player, he just doesn't cut the mustard any higher than that. Personally include Lynn and Klinger in . Get rid of Maxwell ASAP.
Ray Bullock
Guest
White has had that many chances over the years to cement a spot in some form or other. Good bowling finds him out, is just not that a gifted a bat. He is better than Maxwell though. Klinger and Lynn deserve a shot. Forget White, leave him running around for the Vics.
Ray Bullock
Guest
KLINGER is the bloke who should come in. Been making runs for years . Was at his best v Stars last night. Superb field. When it all boils down, White has had plenty of chances to cement a spot , Marsh is a regular Test player, so he is not really missing out. So give a fresh face a go albeit a very experienced one.
Don Freo
Guest
Can you substantiate that. Do you base that on a hammered ball to short cover, a diving catch at slip and a high catch at slip? Why not consider his catching for WA this season and seasons before? I doubt you are aware of his reliability.
Don Freo
Guest
Fully recovered.