Marsh gives hope to injury-hit Australia

Australia’s Shaun Marsh bats at the nets during a training session in Goa, India, in October 2010. As Australia looks for positives in the wake of untimely injuries to two more cricket World Cup squad members, they need look no further than to Marsh.
©AFP/File – Punit Paranjpe

MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) – As Australia looks for positives in the wake of untimely injuries to two more cricket World Cup squad members, they need look no further than to Shaun Marsh.

Marsh was the hero of Friday’s 46-run win over England here, making 110 after only being called into the one-day team to replace the injured Mike Hussey.

However, the win was soured by a serious shoulder injury to recalled spinner Nathan Hauritz, putting his World Cup hopes in jeopardy, and a thigh strain for injury-plagued paceman Shaun Tait.

In the short term, at least, the injury crisis means both will need to be replaced for Sunday’s third ODI with England at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with Australia leading the seven-match series 2-0.

The latest casualties extended the list of World Cup squad members battling injury to four, more than 25 per cent of the 15-man squad, just a month out from their title defence on the sub-continent.

Veteran batsman Hussey is a major doubt after suffering a severe hamstring tear, while captain Ricky Ponting is still recovering from a broken finger suffered during the Ashes.

Australian batsman Shaun Marsh (R) plays a shor during the second one-day international against England at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart on January 21. As Australia looks for positives in the wake of untimely injuries to two more cricket World Cup squad members, they need look no further than to Marsh.
©AFP – Krystle Wright

But if Marsh’s performance is any indication, the latest injuries could prove to be blessings in disguise.

The only man not in the World Cup squad to play on Friday, Marsh made a mockery of his omission with one of the best innings by an Australian against the old foe in any form of cricket this season.

In doing so, Marsh put his name at the top of the list to replace either Hussey or Ponting should they be unable to prove their fitness for the tournament.

The Australian selectors have maintained faith with under-performing players all season through a conservative selection policy, without success.

But these latest injuries will force their hand and might offer a golden opportunity for other fringe players to stake their claim for a late World Cup call-up.

If the West Australian left-hander’s performance is any indication, some fresh blood might be exactly what Australia cricket needs.

While Hauritz and Tait will be replaced for Sunday’s game, paceman Mitchell Johnson is not certain to return, as he battles a throat infection. Test quick Ryan Harris is out for months with a stress fracture in his foot.