Highlights: Australia victorious as Shaun Marsh proves his worth

I'm not saying he didn't play a part in the game, especially in the second innings. I'm saying that there's a lot of talk from people like Boof about what a good job he did, almost a little too much - like they very much felt the need to justify the selection immediately. What I'm saying is that he got out in ways you'd almost expect of him. And also that if anyone else was picked to play for Australia, you'd hope they'd do exactly the same thing in trying to win the match for Australia! It just seems a bit overplayed to me, that's all.

Exactly, Joel. Lyon initially shook his head, indicating he didn't think he'd hit the ball. In this DRS/camera era, why would any batsman say he hadn't hit a ball if he knew 100% for sure that he had? There are plenty of examples of batsmen who think they haven't hit it when they have and vice versa. He only 'walked' when he assumed the DRS evidence was showing that he had hit it and the not out was going to be overturned.

except they both got out and left it to someone else to finish. a good day but i hope theyre not satisfied with what they produced.

he looked more comfortable but at the end of the day only made 49 and got out far enough away to give nz a decent sniff at victory (plus if he hadnt thrown away his wicket in the first innings we likely wouldnt have been in such a poor position in the first place. it was a good innings but it cant be the best he offers for him to prove his worth to the team. history suggests it will be enough to keep him in the team for a long time tho.

so turns out he had a bit of a back flare up and did a good job to fulfil a useful role and assist the bowling attack in holding together to get the job done.

I am one of Shaun Marsh's biggest critics, but his 49 last night was as good as a 90 odd in any other test match based on the situation of the game at the time. Credit where it's due and all that.

If you only need to score 2 and 49 to prove your worth, why has there been so many changes in recent times. Will take more than this to prove his worth. All his selection proved is that the selectors have favourites and for everyone else, it's tough luck.

There'll be plenty of next times. The WA boys, Vogesy included, made the game safe.

But still a good day for you Don ... I really thought the Marshy boys were going to take it all the way home, and everyone loves a god redemption story. Maybe next time.

So back to uncovered pitches, underarm bowling and no helmets then WQ? Cricket has always evolved and will; continue to do so

Burns didn't score many but did an excellent job of taking shine off the ball particularly in the first innings. Credit where credit is due as far as Shaun Marsh goes, he played well and looked more comfortable in those conditions than almost everyone else on the field. Mitch Marsh on the other hand... Interestingly, Lehmann has said this morning that Smith wants Nevill at 6 for the WI series, and IF Mitchell Marsh is picked he'll probably bat at 7.

Lyon didn't walk until he saw the mark on the bat. Before he saw the replay he seemed to think he hadn't hit it, but assumed he would be out once he saw the side on. Take into account that it was given not out on field, there was no result on snicko and hotspot has a reputation for being unreliable at best. I personally would have given it out, but I understand why Llong felt he couldn't overturn the on field call.

Fair comment Red Kev

You're just embarrassing yourself now.

The bowling attack was more balanced and disciplined than at any stage this summer. The conditions offered some encouragement. Siddle bowled pretty well in the first - and helped dry up Williamson and had Taylor all at sea. The fact that Lyon and Siddle dried up Williamson and then Starc got the wicket shows how 'team bowling' works. That Siddle deservedly got Taylor was nice but so long as someone got him. Likewise McCullum - fell to Starc but it was probably Starc's worst delivery. At least someone got him. In the 2nd innings it was Hazlewood who got the bag. Good on him. It's not like Siddle was poor - he was unlucky not to get an LBW (struck marginally outside the line but was going on to the stumps) and produced some other deliveries that were very close - on another day he might have to 2 or 3. As it was Mitch Marsh picked up the 3 in the 2nd despite being the most expensive bowler. The pressure at the other end meant he was perhaps targeted but is still able to produce good balls. Marsh and Siddle have actually bowled well in tandem a couple of times now. Over all - the attack functioned quite nicely. And Siddle offers a lot still. That Starc didn't sit out the Matador Cup when requested and has now broken down is a black mark on him but for Siddle it's fortuitous for sure.

Nice for Siddle to hit the winning runs at a tough time for his family. Nice for S.Marsh to not run himself out and almost got the job done. Before providing slips catching practice. J.Burns exposed a little when the going a bit more 'TESTing'. Hazlewood did well, good numbers - the bowling unit stood up well as a unit even after Starc went down. Sidds unlucky in the 2nd but still held it tight and helped build pressure. The conditions provided a better 'TEST' and batters decision making still a tad short on - compared to when the going is much more weighted in their favour as at Faisalabad......ah.....Perth.

Well said RK, the people squawking about leaving test matches alone to maintain their 'traditionalism' don't actually realise the changes that have taken place in the previous century to how test matches have actually been played. Test matches have had more changes then SM has had chances in the team, and D/N format is but the next chapter, people need to get over it as it is great for the game.

Sure wickets get shared around, but with one less bowler it was an opportunity for him to step and increase his share. He didn't. The best way to apply pressure is to take wickets And it's not like it was a batsman wicket

You seem to be missing an appreciation for some aspects of the game...particularly match situation. I'd go with Boof and others and try to understand what they are saying.

As for Marsh proving his worth, I suspect he proved his worth just as much as anyone else selected to play for Australia is expected to. Why is this being talked up as such a big deal by Boof etc.? He ran himself out at a vital time in the first innings and after being dried up in the second wafted outside off to nick out. Classic Marsh, S. and nothing to get excited about. There's no doubt that one of the other players who were unlucky to miss out on selection may also have proved their worth under the same circumstances, although we probably wouldn't have heard as much about it from those in charge.