Steve Waugh Bats For Shaun Marsh As An Opener In India
Feb 9, 2017 at 7:56 PM
Former Australian skipper and veteran batsman Steve Waugh has favoured Test batsman Shaun Marsh over his good record in sub- continent while saying he should open the innings with Steve Smith’s deputy David Warner during the four-match Test series in India later in this month.
Following the incredible sub-continent record, Marsh in his three Test matches has scored 393 runs at the staggering average of 78.60. He has also smashed two hundreds and one fifty in five innings.
“I like the fact that Shaun Marsh is back in the squad, I think he can add something in those conditions and he’s got a very good record on the sub-continent,” Waugh expressed in a live chat on his official Facebook page.
The 33-year-old left-handed Western Australia batsman Marsh made his Test debut in 2011 against Sri Lanka at Pallekele.
“He knows (the) conditions well and gives Australia a lot more experience, I would open the batting with him and Dave Warner,” Waugh added.
The top-order batsman Marsh has played 19 Tests in which he has amassed 1,325 runs at an average of 40.15.
The 51-year-old Waugh, who had played 168 Tests for Australia has preferred Marsh over Matt Renshaw, who is averaging 60 in his Test career so far.
“While Renshaw has done exceptionally well in the Test matches in Australia, I’d be very tempted to play Shaun Marsh in the first Test,” Waugh remarked.
The Yorkshire-born left-handed batsman Renshaw scored 315 runs four Tests.
“He’s got a proven track record, he was the incumbent opener before he got injured, I think he’s ready to go at this level and he’s played a lot of IPL (Indian Premier League),” Waugh further added.
However, Marsh missed out Test games for Australia after injuring his troublesome finger again in November in Perth last year against South Africa.
Earlier, Marsh injured his finger in August last year in Sri Lanka.
The four-match Chappell-Hadlee series will kickstart on February 23 in Pune.