Australia head coach Justin Langer has on Friday (December 11) revealed that the experienced batsman Shaun Marsh is in their plans as an opening option for the first Test against India at Adelaide Oval, starting Dec 17.
With David Warner recovering from an injury, Australia finds itself in trouble to solve the opening pair puzzle as a Test debut probable Will Pucovski is still recovering from concussion while Joe Burns’ batting wasn’t impressive at all in the recent tour game.
Marcus Harris and the in-form all-rounder Cameron Green are seen as other options for the first D/N Test of the upcoming four-match Test series against India starting December 17 in Adelaide.
Unfortunately, Green gave the hosts another injury concern after being struck on the side of the head by a fierce straight drive from Jasprit Bumrah on Day 1 of the pink-all warm-up match at the SCG on Friday.
Given the entire scenario, Australia might recall the 37-year-old Marsh for the Adelaide Test given his good form in the domestic Sheffield Shield where he scored three centuries in his last four matches for Western Australia.
However, Marsh has been out of the Test side for nearly two years having played last against India in Sydney at the start of 2019.
Langer told Australian broadcaster Channel Seven on Friday: “You never discriminate against age. He’s doing everything possible. His numbers in Sheffield Shield cricket – not only this year but the back end of last year – were absolutely elite. There’s no more popular player in the Australian cricket team than Shaun, maybe his brother (Mitch) actually.”
Meanwhile, Steve Smith has recently said he can move up to No. 3 if Marnus Labuschagne was promoted to open at Adelaide Oval and Langer said they will look at all the options to get the opening partnership right for the at least first 2 Tests against Australia.
He signed off by saying, “You can imagine I’m very passionate about getting the opening partnership right. I know how important it is to a successful team. We’ll be working through that and hopefully get the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle right for the first test match and beyond next week.”
(With Reuters Inputs)
