Shaun Marsh in doubt for first Test vs South Africa

Shaun Marsh, who missed Australia's recent One-Day International (ODI) tour of South Africa with a broken finger, was inconvenienced during his innings of 70 against Tasmania.

Shaun Marsh does not have much time to recover from a hamstring suffered while playing against Tasmania © Getty Images — Shaun Marsh does not have much time to recover from a hamstring which he suffered while playing in domestic circuit © Getty Images

Australia opener Shaun Marsh is in doubt for November’s first Test against South Africa with a hamstring injury suffered in a domestic cup match this weekend. Marsh, who missed Australia’s recent One-Day International (ODI) tour of South Africa with a broken finger, was inconvenienced during his innings of 70 against Tasmania. Western Cricket Australia (WCA) described Marsh’s injury as a “low grade tear”. Marsh returned to the Test side for the final match in Sri Lanka, replacing Joe Burns, and scored 130 – his second Test century in as many matches after a career-best 182 against West Indies last December. The first Test begins in Perth on November 3, leaving Marsh less than three weeks to prove his fitness. ALSO READ: Matador Cup 2016: Shaun Marsh, Ashton Agar named in Western Australia’s squad despite injury

“Marsh will return to Perth where he will undergo rehabilitation with a view to being available for selection for the opening Test of the three-match series against South Africa at the WACA Ground next month,” confirmed WCA. ALSO READ: Shaun Marsh’s topsy-turvy Test career needs equilibrium

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Burns and Usman Khawaja, who were both dropped in Sri Lanka, are in line to replace Marsh should he be unavailable for selection. Australia are having a tough time in both Tests and ODIs with a whitewash suffered against Sri Lanka and South Africa, respectively. Australia will like to come hard against the Proteas after humiliation faced in the African nation.