Marsh joins race to replace Rogers as Test opener

Shaun Marsh’s ton opening for Australia in their warm-up game in the West Indies may have made him a contender to replace the soon-to-retire Chris Rogers.

The languid left-hander has long been a favourite of the Test selectors, sometimes being granted chances he arguably had not earned.

Marsh has, however, done enough to retain his place in the Australian team for Wednesday’s opening Test against the Windies in Dominica.

As much as I would love to see fellow Sandgroper Adam Voges afforded the chance to translate his searing domestic form to Tests, it now looks highly unlikely he will debut in Roseau.

Voges looks to have been in a shootout with Marsh for the fifth specialist batting position. The other four are owned by David Warner, Chris Rogers, Steve Smith and Michael Clarke, with Shane Watson and Mitch Marsh competing for the all-rounder role.

Voges did nothing wrong in the three-day match against the West Indies Cricket Board President’s XI, making a neat half century in the first innings. It was Marsh’s star turn in a new role as opener which looks to have sealed his fate.

Marsh made a patient 118 on the type of slow, dry deck which so often has tripped up the Australian batting line-up in Tests. As all other Australian batsmen failed, apart from Voges, Marsh banked his Test spot.

Now, I’ve never had much faith in Marsh as a Test player. It is difficult to have confidence in a batsman who nine times in his 21 Test innings has scored between 0 and three, or who once made 17 runs at an average of 2.4 across seven consecutive Test digs.

Marsh’s Test return over his first 12 Tests has been reasonable – 747 runs at 36, with two tons, both of which were enormously impressive innings. The issue is that he has been all or nothing.

Fortunately for him, his propensity for feast or famine efforts has not deterred the selectors. You get the sense they have picked Marsh based on what they thought he could be, rather than what he is.

It should be said, though, that the selectors are warranted in selecting him this week, as it looks certain they will. Marsh was solid last summer, making 254 runs at 42 in three Tests against India. On top of that, he was in sublime touch in the Sheffield Shield with 706 runs at 64.

Combined with his big knock in the Windies tour match, his position cannot be argued. It’s also possible that this innings may have vaulted Marsh into the race to replace Rogers at the top of the order when the veteran retires from Tests after the upcoming Ashes.

Until now, there appeared to be only two genuine contenders to succeed Rogers – young Queenslander Joe Burns and New South Wales veteran Ed Cowan.

Burns is the best choice considering he is just 25 years old, was impressive in his two Test against India last summer, and is coming off consecutive good Shield seasons. Cowan, meanwhile, turns 33 years old in a fortnight and previously was granted 18 consecutive Tests, during which he was exposed as being below Test standard, averaging just 31.

Marsh, of course, is only a year younger than Cowan. But, unlike the pugnacious but limited Cowan, Marsh has always appeared to have the requisite ability to flourish at Test level.

The selectors have, time and again, been seduced by this potential. It is understandable because, at his best, he is one of the most commanding and aesthetically-pleasing batsmen on the planet.

If the selectors have any doubts over Burns and Cowan, don’t be surprised to see them turn to Marsh as Rogers’ replacement.