There are two vastly different Shaun Marshes playing for Australia

It’s not about apologies, legends or glory days Rob, it’s about getting your facts in order before you bag a bloke, I would have though that’s been pretty standard across the eras.

Sorry Marty. He’s a legend. You seem to have taken this very personally. He’s probably no worse than a few of the others out there tonight. I played during the late 80’s to 2000. I just think they’re a little bit ordinary now days. Glory days Marty.

Well he took that one alright for a bloke that can’t catch didn’t he Rob! Looks like they are hiding him at first slip because, you know, he’s ‘good for a drop’. Obviously you know something that they don’t.

Everyone drops catches Rob. Did you know that between 2010-2015 Australia missed/dropped 21.8% of their catching/stumping opprtunities (Tracking the Misses – ESPNcricketinfo.com)? So taking into account the 5 dropped catches you have highlighted, and even adding another 50% and rounding up for a total of 8, this means that Marsh drop rate of 20% (40/8) is the team average. If you have some figures that contradict this Rob feel free to share them. As far as your statement about him being slow, well here we go again. Say’s who Rob? You? I don’t hear any of the commentators making any comments along these lines. Obviously you see more than they do from your vantage point on the couch. But you know what Rob, if you think it’s OK to criticise a player by making statements based on ‘facts’ that turn out to be incorrect, or that you have just flat out made up, then you are absolutely right, there is no point continuing this argument. Enjoy the game today mate, although I note that Marsh is out so I look forward (according to your theory) to Australia powering onto 300+. We’ll see.

Against India he dropped 2 at the Gabba (M. Vijay)from memory in a series 2014. He’s good for a drop. Which drop in the Ashes? I can think of 2 outfield, 1 Gully of the top of my head over the years. If you genuinely believe a slow fielder with an average arm is just as intimidating to batsmen as a quick fielder with a strong arm it’s a pointless argument.

I think the word you are looking for is ‘No’ Rob, you don’t have any examples of what you said occurred the other night actually occurring. Nothing like being able to admit when your wrong is there mate? I wonder if that’s because it did happen and everyone missed it, or in fact it didn’t happen and you made it up to support your obviously biased narrative. ‘He does drop a lot of catches’ – once again what is your evidence of this.? You give any example of 1 dropped catch in the Ashes (which certainly should have been taken) and then your second example, if I read it correctly, is one where Marsh actually took the catch but failed to stay in the field of play?!? Nothing sums up your obvious bias more than the fact that you use an example of Marsh taking a catch as evidence that he drops catches?!? What about the excellent catch he took to remove Faf in the ODI earlier this season? Or does that not count? Or is this another example of a statement on your behalf that has no basis in fact, and that you made up? As far as what is going through the mind of an international player when they are taking a quick single against Marsh, who the hell knows “Run Fast!’ would be my guess. I prefer to operate in facts – you know, things that actually happened – rather than what I ‘rekon’. Maybe you should consider doing the same before delving into the far more complex realm of mind reading.

I'll watch for the next one. Do you think Marsh puts any fear into the opposition when taking a quick single in his direction? He does drop a lot of catches. First ODI game boundary caught but 6 runs most recent (they complete those catches regularly) ? Ashes on the boundary sitter?

‘I named Marsh. UK and Stonis as being reasons India picked up more runs.’ - Fair enough Rob, all I’m asking for is an example of where this actually happened ie misfield, dropped catch, comment from commentary team about Marsh being ‘slow to the ball’. I would have thought that’s a pretty reasonable request?

I didn't say he was 'doing it tougher'. I said he came to the crease in a tougher situation (2/26 with a new batsman, vs 1/47 with a settled Rohit) at a hotter point in the day. You can split hairs over which one of them was more exhausted or which one did more running. It doesn't change the fact that there are a lot of parallels between their innings. My comment was in response to Spruce insinuating that the pacing of Kohli's innings was somehow more impressive than that of Marsh's, when in fact they were very, very similar.

or try writing less emotively? you said he "never" reached those heights in Tests. Between 9 and 11 he was one of the handful of best test cricketers on the planet, https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/what-o/

Maybe the solution to a number of problems is right in front of them. Shaun Marsh to skipper the white ball teams, and open, until he retires at 40. A long and fruitful career consistent with his obvious but unfulfilled talent.

Kohli fielded first in the heat of the day boundary riding. Dohni pushed the running between the wickets with Kohli so much he was in trouble seeking medical attention? Marsh hit 62 runs of 14 balls and ran 69 runs off 117 balls faced. Kohli ran 72 off 105 balls faced. In Marsh’s partnership with Maxwell, Maxi hit 26runs in boundaries Dohni hit 12 runs in boundaries after Kohli was dismissed. How did Marsh do it tougher than Kohli? He also ran twice the legbyes Marsh did?

It's a great idea I think, it's where Khawaja could be at his most dangerous in short-form cricket. It might've only been one season, but it makes me think of BBL06 where he led the Thunder to a title win, thanks largely to his hard-hitting when opening, with the field up early. Promote him to open and just let him go for it.

The fielding does relate to catching IMO. Finch and Taylor are slippers. Jonty Rhodes and Ricky Ponting point cover. Marsh field at slip, point and Gully? Can you point out a Marsh runout? Ponting, Rhodes, Clarke, Smith and even Finch come to mind with runouts fielding in that position. I named Marsh. UK and Stonis as being reasons India picked up more runs. It’s probably a bit harsh on Stoinis because bowlers occupy positions less taxing in the out field with stronger arms and he is picked to preform both batting and bowling. Anyway if Shaun scores another 100 i’m reasonable confident Australia probably doesn’t have enough runs. Let’s see.

whatever the reason, he is scoring in ODIs and he isnt scoring in tests… he has had his chances in tests, and form clearly doesnt transfer for him. Keep him in the ODI side and leave him out of the test team.

No doubt Maxi got the scoreboard ticking over; its not clear if Smarsh would have lifted without Maxi - no point speculating. But I think there may be an attitude of batting for place in the top order, and thinking Maxwell/Stoinis will blast away lower down, thats why I think a bit of power at the top would help - ala Lynn.

Paul, a run a ball is comfortable going in the modern game with the improvements in bat technology, 2 balls , flat pitches, smaller boundaries. A score of 300 is probably below par in 70% of ODI games. Having India 3 down for 4 runs with Kohli back in the shed won the game. It’s sad to think Australia are just attempting to survive the first 45 overs and slog the last 5. Australia have gone from leading the game to falling well behind.

and of course his father was a good one day player and a very average test player....

David, its PARTLY down to attitude. The other differences are significant. No fielders around the bat in one dayers. Less pressure. Less of a need to occupy the crease. Two white balls that behave differently. Lower quality bowling looking to contain. More medium pacers. Less quality spinners. Less express bowlers ... an on it goes..... Shaun Marsh is a wonderful cricketer.... but is below top level overall. Hence he can excel in one dayers but is simply NOT up to test standard as the stats tell us (over many tests, in many countries, over a long period of time).

So now you’re having a go at his fielding? Based on what? Are you suggesting that you can judge fielding performance based on a ratio of catches to games played? Does this mean that Mark Taylor (114/56) was better at ‘moving quickly’, ‘taking half chances’ or ‘wanting the ball’ than both Ricky Ponting (375/160) and Jonty Rhodes (245/105)? From what I can see the only thing this ratio tells you is where a player fields ie in a position where catches are more likely to go (slips, gully etc). To answer your question Finch is not necessarily quicker or smarter than Marsh, he just fields in the slips more often. I’m also a bit confused about your suggestion that Marsh is ‘poor’ in the field to the point that he costs the team runs. Where is the proof of this? I certainly haven’t seen any, and with the amount of coverage the game receives these days, and the fact that it every mistake is analysed and replayed within an inch of it’s life by a team of commentators, I’m struggling to remember an recent instance where Marsh’s fielding has been referred to in a negative way. Feel free to provide an example, I am more than happy to be corrected.