Shaun Marsh’s strong start to the domestic cricket season could gain Australian selectors’ attention but the batsman is adamant a Test recall isn’t front of mind.
Marsh has scored 132no and 88 to help Western Australia sit atop the one-day domestic competition standings after wins over Victoria and NSW.
But the 34-year-old’s national team prospects appear slight after he lost his Cricket Australia contract this year having averaged 19 on the four-match tour of India.
Marsh played county cricket in England with Yorkshire this year but said adding to his tally of 23 Tests with a berth in the Ashes isn’t his motivation.
“It’s something that I haven’t really thought about, to be honest,” Marsh told Perth radio 6PR.
“I did lose my contract and was out of the Test team. I guess they said to me the door’s not shut.
“But it’s something I haven’t really thought about. I’ve gone away just to enjoy my cricket and I had a fantastic time up in England.
“I’m just looking forward to playing some good cricket for WA, see where that takes me.”
Marsh’s Test career has also been hindered by persistent injuries, including when he started last summer’s Test series against South Africa strongly before being ruled out of the next two Tests with a broken finger.
But he believes his stint in England has him fit.
“(I’ve) come back with some match practice under my belt so I felt really good leading into this competition,” he said.
Curious George
Guest
how the hell did "big maxi" aka mr overrated even become the incumbent? In Australia Cartwright is the incumbent! He played the 3rd test vs the Pakkies. Maxwell will not bowl enough overs to warrant a sdpot. With the bat he will noodle around and get 10-15 before falling to a wild swing. He is immature and a dandy. Bring in a proper batsman if they want to win this series. Load up the team with half-wit allrounders and we will collapse The Boys Club XI for the first test: Warner (loud mouth) S Marsh Smith Handscombe M Marsh Maxi/Stonis (either way a waste of a spot) Wade (should be dropped, an absolute waste of space) Starc Hazelwood Lyon Cummins
Don Freo
Guest
What point do you think you are making? Some of those people don't exist. One is dead. Where's the humour? What's the point? This is a cricket comment site.
Shane Warner
Guest
Maybe they could field an all Marsh XI? Shaun Marsh (captain) Geoff Marsh Dan Marsh Nathan HindMarsh Cassius Marsh Henry Marsh Mitchell Marsh Rodney Marsh (keeper) Malcolm Marshall Narcissus Marsh P.J. Marsh
Don Freo
Guest
The Marshes don't play for NSW. How does that stand up? Better to stick with talking cricket. Finch, Handscomb, Maxwell, NCN, Zampa, Faulkner, Richardson, Agar, Wade...where is the NSW or Marsh name there?
Shane Warner
Guest
Test team for the first ashes team. Shaun Marsh Usman Khawaja Nic Maddinson (vice captain) Steve Smith (captain) Moises Henriques Mitchell Marsh Glenn Mitchell (wk) Mitchell Starc Pat Cummins Sean Abbott Nathan Lyon
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Why not have Renshaw Warner Khawaja Smith Handscomb S Marsh W Keeper Starc Cummins Lyon Hazelwood If they must have a part time bowler, make it the big Maxi for S Marsh. They streeted a similar England team 5 to nothing with 6 bats.
Matth
Guest
I actually think he would be our first reserve for any of the top 5 spots at this point, given he would be coming in half way through an Ashes series, under pressure.
Shane Warner
Guest
Aus Selectors principles 101 #1 pick anyone with Mitch or Marsh in their name #2 pick anyone from NSW shield side, in form or not #3 pick anyone who Mark Waugh likes
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Unless they really needed a short-term stop-gap it's probably unlikely he'd have much of a shot. If Khawaja or Renshaw got injured, or really did terribly in the first couple of tests (and Australia didn't paper over those failures by winning anyway) then that's probably his best chance of a recall. So it could still happen. I can imagine if, after 2-3 matches, Australia were either level, or behind, in the series and really needed wins in the last 2-3 matches and Khawaja or Renshaw were either injured or had major struggles with form, and Marsh just kept piling on the runs, I can imagine the selectors going for him over a younger, less proven player. That's his main shot at this point.
AREH
Roar Guru
Looks in good touch, but he generally does at domestic level. Is 34; they really shouldn't be going back to S.Marsh now unless there's a couple of injuries to top-six bats. Struggle to see how he plays any further test cricket.
AGordon
Guest
He's 34, he's had his time, he should continue to enjoy his cricket and help the players coming through. The selectors need to chose someone for the Test side at 6 who is consistent and hopefully much younger. Ditto with the keeper
Curious George
Guest
Good. He should not. His test time is over. Move on to the future. I am talking Carey. Not Wade. Carey.