With skipper Michael Clarke’s fitness still a concern, Australia on Thursday added Shaun Marsh to its squad for the opening Test against India starting here on December 9.
“The National Selection Panel has today advised that West Australian Shaun Marsh has been added to the Test squad as an additional batsman for the first Commonwealth Bank Test,” Cricket Australia said in a statement.
Clarke’s hamstring injury remains a concern and it is still not clear whether he would be available for the opening match of the series, which required rescheduling owing to the tragic death of Phillip Hughes. The Australian team, which is still recovering from the shock of Hughes’ death after being hit by a bouncer, Thursday flew from Coffs Harbour following an emotional funeral of Hughes in Macksville on Wednesday.
Marsh’s addition to the Test squad, which is now 13-strong, raises the prospect of him and Mitchell Marsh becoming the first set of brothers to play Test cricket for Australia since Steve and Mark Waugh in October 2002. “The Australian Test squad will assemble in Adelaide on Thursday and Friday ahead of the first Test starting on Tuesday 9 December.”
Clarke had been recovering from the injury but had put his treatment on hold after Hughes’ death last week. The tragedy forced a reshuffle to Australia’s domestic and international cricket schedule, with the Brisbane Test now to be held second in the Border-Gavaskar Series.
Australia squad: Michael Clarke (c), Brad Haddin (wk), Ryan Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, David Warner, Shane Watson.
Harris to make a comeback
Sydney: Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris Thursday said he is both physically and mentally fit to make a comeback to the national squad, to play the first Test against India. Harris has vowed, the team will be maintaining their aggression when they turn out for the first Test at the Adelaide Oval. The bowler who joined compatriots at Phillip Hughes funeral Wednesday in Macksville stated that the experience was indeed emotional which convinced him he was ready to play. Harris wrote in a Fairfax Media column, which was published in Cricket Australia’s website: “Seeing the green and gold streamers was a reminder these people want to see some cricket played, want to see us get out there and beat the Indians.” He also spoke about how the mood changed for the players after the funeral. There were conversations about getting back into the field, but he also believed Hughes would be at the back of their minds. “We’re going to have our mate in the back of our minds — there’s no doubt about that — but when we walk out onto that ground we need to try and focus on our game thoughts, where we need to be to be ready to play,” said the pacer. “We’ll definitely be maintaining our aggression; that’s how we play well. That’s what we do. That’s the Australian way so we’ll get back to doing that. It’s what those people I walked past Wednesday in the procession would want, and what they would expect.” Harris, though, was unsure if Australia could field a full strength side, for the first Test, as most players have not picked up the ball or bat after the death of Hughes. “I’m in good shape. I don’t have any doubts about my fitness,” he added on his fitness.
‘Honour Hughes by playing’
Adelaide: Recovering from the shock of Phillip Hughes’ tragic death, Australian coach Darren lehmann is hoping that the distraught cricketers would honour the late batsman’s memory by playing the opening Test against India here even though they are under no pressure to turn up.
The entire Australian squad attended the batsman’s funeral and skipper Michael Clarke broke down while reading out his tribute.
“We hope the boys can find the inner strength to play the game in the way Phillip would have wanted in Adelaide next week and that they can honour what he had done,” lehmann wrote in his column for The Australian.
Former Australia captain Mark Taylor echoed lehman’’s thoughts. “I also think it’s going to be difficult for them to move on and I think until they start playing cricket again they won’t actually move on,” Taylor said.