Cameron White or Shaun Marsh could replace Michael Clarke in World Cup squad

CAMERON White or Shaun Marsh? Who will cast their name forward for World Cup selection should Michael Clarke’s dodgy hamstrings fail to repair.

Australian cricketer Cameron White hits an overboundary during the second One Day International (ODI) cricket match between India and Australia at The Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on October 20, 2010. Australia have set a score of 289 runs after India won the toss and elected to field. AFP PHOTO/Deshakalyan CHOWDHURY

CAMERON White knows two doesn’t go into one.

So when he bats for Australia’s ODI team for the first time in nearly four years today the subplot is obvious.

HENRIQUES DRAFTED IN FOR HAMSTRUNG WATSON

Who will cast their name forward for World Cup selection should Michael Clarke’s dodgy hamstrings fail to repair by Cricket Australia’s February 21 deadline?

Will it be White, winner of back-to-back Matador Cup player of the tournament awards and clever tactician, or in-form Test batsman Shaun Marsh?

“Yeah it is (between Marsh and I if Clarke is withdrawn),” White said.

“But I can’t control who they’re going to pick. If they pick Shaun that’s great and he’s worked hard for the opportunity.”

The pair replaces George Bailey (suspended) and David Warner (rested) in Hobart today and Marsh’s audition will come first with the West Australian set to open the batting with Aaron Finch.

Cameron White and Shaun Marsh run between the wickets.

Marsh said he was playing with freedom after crushing 79 runs for Perth Scorchers at the MCG on Wednesday, making more in his first Big Bash game for the season than White’s past four knocks for Melbourne Stars has produced.

“I’ve felt really good all summer,” Marsh said.

“I feel like the consistency is there. That’s what I’ve been working on for the past six months.

“I’ve been happy with the way I’m hitting at the moment. I’ve got to keep working hard and doing what I’m doing.”

But in the 50-over format White is the domestic king.

He has struck 741 runs in the past two tournaments at an average of 67.36, the second-most prolific scorer behind the injured Usman Khawaja.

This summer White cracked two centuries and two half-centuries.

“Hopefully I can make the most of the opportunity (today), it’s a one-off game so I’m looking forward to it,” White said.

“I always enjoy playing for Australia, I enjoy playing under Darren Lehmann.”

The pair of 31-year-olds share similar ODI statistics, albeit White has significantly more experience.

White’s 87 matches have produced 2037 runs at 35.12 while Marsh’s 45 outings have seen him score 1667 runs at 39.69.

After Friday they are set to renew BBL commitments — and almost certainly hostilities — with the Stars and Scorchers maintaining their records as the only two teams to reach the finals all four seasons.

Originally published as Cameron White or Shaun Marsh could replace Michael Clarke in World Cup squad