Marsh likely to miss Boxing Day Test against Pakistan
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Shaun Marsh might not feature in the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan, which could allow another opportunity for the 24-year-old southpaw, Nic Maddinson. Marsh broke his finger in the opening Test against South Africa at Perth and it is highly unlikely that he would pass the fitness test for the Test starting on Monday (December 26).
Speaking on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) radio on Sunday (December 18), Pat Howard, Cricket Australia (CA) team performance chief, said that Marsh has his scans scheduled in a couple of days time and it is likely that he would make his comeback in the second Big Bash League (BBL) match between Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers on December 27. It was unfortunate for the left-hander to miss the action, especially after he scored 63 and 15 in the Perth Test, prior to which he had two consecutive hundreds.
Joe Burns was called into the side for the second Test against South Africa, but his failure led to the selection of the young Queensland opener, Matt Renshaw. Renshaw has fared well in his two appearances thus far and is likely to be continued with. Peter Handscomb, the other new face, has made an early mark too. However, Marsh's good form would see him walking into the playing XI, once he is fit.
With Marsh though, Australia have the flexibility of moving him up and down in the batting line-up, although his recent successes have come as an opener. Maddinson's poor form might not earn him another opportunity immediately.
The team performance chief said, "On a personal note, you'd like to see anyone do well. It's been really pleasing to see three debutants, two have actually put down fantastic markers. Obviously with Nic, we all talked about Adelaide being tough. But the other thing is, there's never the perfect opportunity.
"I'm sure Callum Ferguson would love an opportunity. And so there's never the perfect way or perfect opportunity, and you've got to take what's on offer. Nic or anybody else, when that opportunity is presented, you've got to come and take it with both hands. And I think that does apply no matter what the age," added Howard.
Speaking about older players like Ferguson and Cameron White, who are already in their 30s, Howard said, "They've got to top the run-scoring, they've got to absolutely dominate in Shield.
"And I think that sends a fantastic message to all the Shield players. They've got to play really well. There is the opportunity absolutely, to do that. For the younger players, you've got to be able to talent ID. You've got to be able to go 'I've seen enough in this player to be able to go to the next step'. I don't think that's anything different from the past, but yeah, you expect higher standards [of older players]," said Howard.
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