Justin Langer backs Shaun Marsh to keep pace with World Cup sloggers

Asked if Shaun Marsh - and Usman Khawaja - had the gears to accelerate in the middle overs of a World Cup match, Australia coach Justin Langer leapt to their defence with a BBL memory.

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Shaun Marsh’s five-ball assault on Adelaide Crows defender Alex Keath six years ago proves Marsh is an explosive batsman, according to coach Justin Langer.

Australia’s lack of middle-order firepower has come under question after Marsh and Usman Khawaja failed to spear Australia to a massive score against Pakistan.

Usman Khawaja has been shunted down the order in Australia’s recent matches.

Marsh took Keath, a former Melbourne Stars all-rounder making his Big Bash League debut, apart in a semi-final when Langer was coaching him at Perth Scorchers.

“You’ve got to be pretty explosive to hit (27) off an over,” Langer said.

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“He’s been an incredible player for the Scorchers in Big Bash cricket, he’s a very explosive player.

“It’s exciting having him anywhere in the order and he can hit the ball as hard and as far as anyone in the world.”

Marsh, who has signed at Melbourne Renegades for next season, blasted three sixes and two fours off Keath’s first five balls in the only over the 20-year-old was given for the night.

Langer has previously referenced that over as evidence that specialist players trump all-rounders in T20 cricket.

Shaun Marsh has been Australia’s most consistent ODI batsmen over the last two years.

Asked if Marsh, 35, and Usman Khawaja, 32, had the gears to accelerate in the middle, Langer leapt to Marsh’s defence with that BBL anecdote.

Langer also said Khawaja “did a good job” against Pakistan after scoring 18 (16).

Marsh and Khawaja’s ODI strike-rates both sit in the low 80s and, entering at No. 5 and 6 against Pakistan, they were unable to cash in during the death overs.

“(Khawaja) is used to batting at the top of the order,” Langer said.

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“When you go (down the order) there’s different pressures. In a lot of ways, it’s an easier time. It’s an older ball and there’s lot of gaps in the field.

“He’ll adapt, he’s a very good player.

“There will be times when he comes on the second ball of the day. I hope it doesn’t happen, but he might.

“He averages 40-odd in ODI cricket. He’s got the most runs in ODI cricket this year. I’ve got no worries about him adapting, that’s what great players do.”