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Why is a batsman who has scored 182 and played a match-winning knock in his last two Test innings fighting to keep his place in the Australian side? The answer lies in the unfair and unfounded myth that surrounds Shaun Marsh.
The myth revolves around the ideas Shaun Marsh continually fails in Test cricket, has never earned his place through weight of runs, and the selectors give him special treatment.
Marsh introduced himself to the majority of the Australian cricketing public in the worst way imaginable.
Against India, in the summer of 2011-12, Marsh’s scores (0, 3, 0, 11, 3,0) resembled binary code more closely than a Test batsman’s scores. His cards were marked in the eyes of many from then, and he has struggled to shake the narrative.
Marsh has been a victim of making his best runs overseas. For local cricket fans, it’s out of sight, out of mind.
Leading into his trying Indian summer, he came off a quiet but strong debut in Sri Lanka. In his first two Tests, Marsh made 141 and 81 to ensure, along with Mike Hussey, Australia won the series.
Last year, Marsh struck an excellent 148 to set up an Australian Test series triumph over South Africa.
Yet these innings went largely unnoticed, proving the adage that only runs in Australia are seen and heard.
The myth surrounding Marsh has become so strong that even the runs he makes at home come with a disclaimer.
Marsh’s 182 against the West Indies has been discounted for facing a lacklustre bowling attack. The fact that when Marsh came to the crease Australia was in an awkward position, having lost three wickets before lunch batting first, has been lost in the wash up.
The recent, match-defining 49 against New Zealand under lights was diminished because Marsh departed just before the winning runs were hit.
Even the 99 made against India in the Boxing Day Test just twelve months ago is forgotten because of the Schadenfreude that accompanies milestone run-outs.
The myth surrounding March also unfairly extends to Marsh’s modest first-class record, where subscribers to the narrative are seduced by his average of 39. The reality though is that since the start of the 2013-14 season Marsh has averaged 49.43; better than the averages of both Joe Burns (41.53) and Usman Khawaja (43.20). In fact, over the last two first-class seasons, Marsh has scored more hundreds (ten) than Khawaja and Burns combined (eight).
The final element of the myth alleges that Marsh has received preferential treatment from the selectors. Yet he has received more than his share of unfortunate omissions.
In South Africa in 2014, Marsh made 148 in the first Test of the series, yet was dropped for the third Test. The decision to keep Alex Doolan in the team over Marsh was perplexing at the time, and only gets more baffling with each passing day.
Early this year, when Marsh had been performing solidly in the Test side – including scoring that 99 – he lost his place in the first Ashes Test. Ironically, and perhaps an indication of things to come, the selectors preferred Adam Voges, who had just made a debut hundred against the West Indies.
Given Marsh’s form, recent runs and record, he must play on Boxing Day. With Khawaja emphatically passing his fitness test on Sunday night, he must join Marsh in the side.
Unfortunately this leaves Burns to make way.
In a twist of fate, no one will understand Burns’ situation better than Shaun Marsh.
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