Marsh's moment of reckoning
Shaun Marsh has scored only six centuries and averages below 40 in his Sheffield-Shield career of over 10 years
Akhila Ranganna
25-Feb-2013
Shaun Marsh has scored only six centuries and averages below 40 in his Sheffield-Shield career of over 10 years. However, writes Jesse Hogan in the Sunday Age, on closer analysis, however, it is clear why the Australian selectors consider the uncomplicated left-hander a Test contender.
In three of the past four seasons he has averaged 60, albeit from limited appearances due to injury, and was in sparkling form for Western Australia before breaking down - again - on the eve of last summer's Ashes. There is also the matter of Marsh's extraordinary record in the Indian Premier League, in which he boasts a better average (51.26) than the world's most destructive Twenty20 batsman, Chris Gayle (50.24).
Marsh is proud of his IPL record, yet the importance he places on Twenty20 is negligible compared to the longest form of the game. It is there, he told The Sunday Age, he wants to finally make up for his years of underachievement - and, by doing that, earn a coveted baggy green cap.
Akhila Ranganna is assistant editor (Audio) at ESPNcricinfo