Shaun Marsh can be considered a stop-gap option in the top of the order in the injury-hit Australian squad, feels former Australian skipper Allan Border.
In a conversation, with The West Australia, Allan Border suggested the idea to include 37-year-old Shaun Marsh who has been in good form in recent Sheffield Shield Matches scoring 3 tons and a 88 run score in last six innings for West Australia since October. But he hasn’t been named in practice matches as the selection of the opening pair might depend on excellent performers in Australia A’s final tour game against India A starting December 11.
Shaun Marsh Could Be One Of Those Stop-Gap Guys Given Experience Needed Atop The Batting Order: Allan Border
Australia is currently struggling with some major injury concerns ahead of the 4 test match Border-Gavaskar trophy, beginning from December 17 with a day-night affair in Adelaide.
Australia received a huge blow after in form opener David Warner was ruled out of the opening first Test due to a groin injury. Meanwhile, Will Pucovski, who was in line for a debut for the opening Test, is now a doubtful starter for the first test after suffering a concussion in the first warm-up game. Another opener Joe Burns is also currently not in form scoring 4 and 0 in the first warm-up game.
“And right out of the left field, I think maybe even Shaun Marsh could be one of those stop-gap guys given the experience we need at the top of the order,” Allan Border said.
Shaun Marsh has played 38 Tests, 73 ODIs and 15 T20Is but his last test came in 2019 against India at Sydney. Shaun Marsh scored 31,110 not out,6, 115, 88 and 135 in the last 4 Sheffield Shield games for West Australia at Adelaide.
Joe Burns is also not in the form in recent Sheffield Shield matches scoring 7,29,0,10 and 11 in last 3 games after scoring a 93 for Queensland against West Australia.
Allan Border: Marnus Labuschagne Shown He Can Handle New Ball
Marnus Labuschagne averages a high 63.43 in 14 Tests and has batted mostly at No. 3 position.
“You could move Marnus Labuschagne up to the top of the order. He’s shown that he can handle the new ball; batting at number three you have to do a bit of that at times. Marcus Harris has been in some good touch; he could be one of those young bolters that could come in and do the job for you,” Border was quoted as saying.
Marnus Labuschagne scored 1074 runs averaging 82.62 with four tons and as many fifties while coming at No. three to bat.
Marcus Harris has opened and played 17 innings scoring 385 runs averaging a modest 24.06. He has played only nine Tests scoring two fifties.