IPL Sensation Shawn Marsh Called To Replace Injured Phil Jaques
Shaun Marsh has been called up to replace the injured Phil Jaques for Australia's tour of India.
Jaques was ruled out of Australia's tour of India with a long-standing back injury prior to their second Test at Mohali. Jaques joined Bryce McGain as the second Australian to depart the tour early, but his absence gives Marsh - a highly rated batsman and the son of Australia's former opener and national selector, Geoff - another opportunity at the highest level. Marsh played eight one-dayers during Australia's tour of West Indies in June this year, though has yet to make his Test debut.
Marsh, significantly, has experience of Indian conditions; he played for Kings XI Punjab in the IPL earlier this year and ended the tournament as the highest runscorer.
"Shaun has been selected having opened the batting for Australia in the one-day international arena and shown great potential," Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, said. "He has recently moved to opening the batting in all three forms of the game in interstate competition and played very well in Western Australia's run chase and victory at the WACA against New South Wales.
"As a replacement batsman on the tour, should the opportunity arise, we are confident that Shaun could fill any role in the batting order. We have also taken the opportunity to enhance Shaun's international experience as we consider him to be one of the promising young batsmen in Australia capable of having a significant impact in Australian cricket in the future."
The third Test gets underway on October 29 in Delhi. India lead the series 1-0 with two to play.
By Arunava Das
Yes. I agree Marsh is much better prospect than Jaques even if he is not injured and this is a worthy choice from CA selectors.
ReplyDeleteBut one has to doubt the inclusion of Katich into the team when Marsh makes it into the playing eleven. I do not see the right combination for aussies if Marsh and Katich both are to be in the playing eleven.
All fingers pointing to axe katich now, but I dont think Katich performed that terribly to deserve the axe considering the wholesale failure of the whole aussie team in Mohali.