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Brydon Coverdale
December 7, 2011
Shaun Marsh is likely to play against the Indians in one of their two warm-up matches in Canberra as he aims for a Test return on Boxing Day at the MCG. Marsh hurt his back during Australia's Test loss in Cape Town nearly a month ago and was ruled out of the Johannesburg Test that followed as well as the entire New Zealand series.
With less than three weeks to go until the biggest day of Australia's Test year, Marsh had not yet started batting as he continued his recovery. And while the Big Bash League begins on December 16, leaving no room for Sheffield Shield cricket in the last week before the Melbourne Test, there are two matches between a Cricket Australia Chairman's XI and the Indians.
The first of the Canberra games is a two-day match beginning on December 15, before a three-dayer that starts on December 19. Australia's physiotherapist, Alex Kountouris, said the plan was for Marsh to turn out in at least one of those encounters to help give him the best chance of playing against India on Boxing Day.
"Marsh had a run and is due to bat later this week as part of his programme to try to get up for Boxing Day and probably play one of the Chairman's XI games," Kountouris said in Hobart on Wednesday.
In the absence of Marsh, Usman Khawaja returned to No.3, giving Australia an inexperienced top order, with the debutant David Warner opening at the Gabba alongside Phillip Hughes. Shane Watson's hamstring tear, which he sustained while bowling in the victory over South Africa at the Wanderers, also added to the top-order problems.
However, Watson is expected to return for the Melbourne Test. Kountouris said Watson was continuing his rehab work but "is on track to play Boxing Day". That could mean a shuffling of the top order, with Warner and Hughes both hoping to impress in the second Test against New Zealand at Bellerive Oval, starting on December 9.
Australia also have problems with their bowling attack, with Pat Cummins unlikely to play another Test this summer due to a foot injury, Mitchell Johnson out until the end of the season after having surgery on his foot, Ben Cutting sidelined for at least a month with a side strain, and Ryan Harris battling a hip ailment.
Harris is hopeful of being available for the Melbourne Test but Kountouris said it was too early to determine his likely return date.
"Harris started bowling yesterday and he went okay," Kountouris said. "It was only his first bowl so he has a long way to go still. Another week or so and we'll be more confident with how he's going."
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