Shaun Marsh, who was ruled out of Australia’s upcoming Test series against South Africa due to a finger injury he sustained during their recent away tour in Sri Lanka, is hopeful that he can recover in time for the home Test series against Pakistan and make his case for a permanent selection in the Test squad.
Having scored centuries in each of his last two Test matches, Marsh has done his chances a lot of good but suffered a fracture to his left little finger while fielding during the third ODI between Australia and Sri Lanka in Dambulla, thus forcing him out of the tour.
Having been advised six weeks rest by Australia’s medical team, Marsh expressed his disappointment at missing out on the South Africa series but is hopeful of slotting right back in after recovering from the injury.
"I was lucky enough to get another opportunity in Sri Lanka and do well, so hopefully that puts me in good stead leading into the summer," Marsh said.
"I’m hungry to keep being really consistent in Test cricket now, which I probably haven’t been in my career to date. But to wait for my opportunity and finally get back in the Test team, and then break a finger, which I’ve never done before, it’s been extremely frustrating.”
Marsh desperate to play
The desperation to get a Test spot has been evident, with Marsh revealing that he had contemplated playing against the Proteas in spite of the injury, but admitted that fully recovering from injury would be the best option in the long run, especially with a crucial Test series in India scheduled for next year.
"I was hoping to go to South Africa, and I was sort of happy to go over there and play with risk,” he said. “We thought the smart decision was to take a few extra weeks and give the finger the full six weeks that it needs to make sure it’s 100% ahead of the summer."
Marsh will get a chance to play against South Africa soon enough with the Proteas heading Down Under for a three-match Test series.
Rogers chooses Marsh over Burns
With Marsh set to recover in time for the first Test which begins from November 3, former Australian batsman Chris Rogers wants the Australian selectors to back Marsh as the opener in place of Joe Burns, who was one of the many Australian Test players who underwhelmed in Sri Lanka.
"I like Joe Burns and have a lot of time for him, but Shaun (Marsh), in his last two Test matches he's got hundreds," Rogers said to cricket.com.au. "To not get picked would be very difficult for him (Marsh), particularly with the Indian tour looming where you'd back him to be one of the first picked now. Maybe he's going to be irresistible (to select).”
Rogers still believes Burns has a bright future and is hopeful that he can become a better player in the away series against South Africa.
“I wouldn't discount what Joe's got to offer. He still has the ability to learn and get better and get away from those tours and think about where he went wrong. But perhaps maybe in this point in time Shaun might just edge it over Joe," Rogers said.
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