Struggling Australian batsman Shaun Marsh has admitted he is running out of chances at Test level.
Published: Jan 17, 2012, 01:51 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 17, 2012, 01:51 PM (IST)
Shaun Marsh has scored just 14 runs in the first three Tests against India © Getty Images
Perth: Jan 17, 2012
Struggling Australian batsman Shaun Marsh has admitted he is running out of chances at Test level.
Having been sidelined by his latest back problem, the left-hander was rushed back into the Australian side for the Test series against India on the back of just one Twenty20 innings.
He is yet to reward the faith of the Australian selectors, with just 14 runs at 3.50 batting at number three in a series the home side has otherwise dominated to lead 3-0.
Marsh has again received the backing of the selectors by being retained in the 12-man squad for the fourth Test in Adelaide, starting next Tuesday, but admitted the pressure to make a substantial score was reaching critical mass.
“At the end of the day my job is to score runs and I haven’t been doing that in the first three Test matches,” he said.
“There’s always pressure, that’s part and parcel of playing international cricket, I’ve just got to try to turn it around. You don’t get too many chances to play Test cricket so I know my chances are running out.”
In a bid to regain some form, Marsh has been released to play for his domestic Twenty20 side, the Perth Scorchers, on Wednesday.
The 28-year-old, who has played six Tests and scored 298 runs at 33.11, including a century on debut against Sri Lanka, conceded it was one of the most important matches of his career.
“I’m just looking forward to getting out there and spending a bit of time in the middle,” he said.
“I’ve had some poor games lately in the Test arena, which has been disappointing, so to get out there and hopefully score a few runs to get the confidence back would be nice.”
Marsh dismissed suggestions he had returned from injury too early and said he believed the batsman-friendly Adelaide Oval was the perfect venue to turn his form around.
“The back’s fine now, the body’s feeling great and it’s time to score some runs,” he said. (AFP)
