“We want him to play some cricket before we consider him”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Australia head coach Darren Lehmann has revealed that it is highly doubtful opening batsman Shaun Marsh will be selected for the opening Test against Pakistan in Brisbane.

Marsh is currently recovering from a broken finger he sustained in the first Test against South Africa in Perth, but there is a glimmer of hope for the 33-year-old as if he is able to prove his fitness, there is a slim possibility he could be included in the line-up for the day-night affair at the Gabba.

The Narrogin native is unlikely to be picked for Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield clash against Queensland on Monday, which like the upcoming first Test, is a day-night match.

Since that is the only opportunity he will have to show that he has sufficiently recovered from his injury, Marsh will be doing everything in his power to ensure he is part of Western Australia’s squad.

If that doesn’t come to fruition, Lehmann admitted that he won’t be able to select Marsh as he has not had any match practice going into the series opener against Pakistan.

“He’s not back to full training yet,” Lehmann told Sky Sports Radio on Thursday. “He’s touch-and-go for that Shield game.

“That’s going to be the biggest thing – to make sure his finger’s right. We want him to play some cricket before we consider him. That’s going to be the challenge for him, to get back playing.”

Another option is for Marsh to prove his fitness by playing grade cricket. It is a commonly used tactic for Australian players as all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and former captain Michael Clarke both represented Sydney grade club Western Suburbs prior to the 2015 World Cup.

Furthermore, if Marsh does end up being considered for selection, he will have to take the spot of Matt Renshaw, who made his Test debut in the third Test against South Africa in Adelaide. In that day-night game, the 20-year-old made scores of 10 and 34 not out.