The Ashes 2015: Shaun Marsh happy to play anywhere he’s asked — he just wants a game

OF ALL the challenges Australian batsman Shaun Marsh will face on his first Ashes tour, he knows the toughest will be getting to play a Test.

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - JUNE 14: Adam Voges and Shaun Marsh of Australia pose with the Frank Worrell Trophy in the change rooms after day four of the Second Test match between Australia and the West Indies at Sabina Park on June 14, 2015 in Kingston, Jamaica. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

OF ALL the challenges Australian batsman Shaun Marsh will face on his first Ashes tour, he knows the toughest will be getting to play a Test.

Marsh’s last innings was a handy 69 opening with David Warner against the West Indies a week ago, but rather than as a career highlight, he looks back on it only as a missed opportunity, such is the pressure on for Test positions.

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“I threw away 100 there,” he said after the Australians’ first UK training session on the pristine grounds of Old Merchant Taylors’ School, near Watford. “Hundreds are always the key for a batter. If you can get a big hundred I’m sure that’s going to help your case come first Test, so I was really disappointed in that.”

Shaun Marsh and Adam Voges both impressed during the series win in West Indies.

With regular opener Chris Rogers now available following a recovery from concussion, Marsh knows his chances of holding on to the opening spot have lessened, and with Warner, captain Michael Clarke and world number one ranked batsman Steve Smith assured of places, the battle for the remaining top order positions has intensified, especially with newcomer Adam Voges’ blistering start to Test cricket in the Caribbean.

Not surprisingly, Marsh says he doesn’t mind where he bats in the side, as long as he gets a start.

“I’m happy to bat anywhere in the Australian cricket team,” he said. “I feel like I’m as comfortable at the top of the order as I am down the order. I’m happy with whatever role they throw to me and I’ll try to do the best I can.”

Just what role he does get to play on this tour will likely be determined by how he performs in the tour matches, against Kent and Essex, prior to the First Test in Cardiff starting July 8.

Marsh acknowledges the two four-day games will bring pressure for all the Test contenders.

“When you’re playing international cricket there’s pressure any game you play in, whether it’s tour games or Test matches. That’s what you expect. When we’re playing against Kent next week there’ll be pressure on not only me, but everyone.

“I think our batting line-up is very strong. We’ve got some fantastic players. The way Steve Smith’s batted over the last 12 months has been incredible to watch. Pup (Clarke) is a fantastic player and Davey Warner at the top of the order as well.

With Chris Rogers fit again the battle for places has only intensified.

“The way Adam has come in and started his Test career … watching him back over the last 12 months for WA has just been unbelievable. We’re confident as a batting group. We’ve had a good couple of Test matches over in the West Indies and we’re really excited about the tour games and making sure we’re ready to go on July 8.”

Regardless of how much starch the Kent and Essex bowlers bring to the two tour matches it is unlikely the Australian batters will have to face anything more gruelling than what their own pacemen served up at training.

“We’re very blessed to have four or five quality fast bowlers at the moment,” Marsh said.

“They’re all bowling very well and they’re all very challenging out in the middle. I thought they bowled fantastically well today and throughout the last few months have just been outstanding.

“Ryan (Harris) in his first bowl today looked really impressive. You’ve got five real quality fast bowlers that are vying for probably three spots. It’s a good dilemma to have.”

Marsh’s first experience of Ashes cricket was as a six year-old when he, his mother and sister flew to England to watch his father Geoff, who played in all six Tests as the underdog Aussies won the series 4-0.

“He still dines out on that,” Marsh said. “It was pretty special, but I’m very excited to be a part of an Ashes tour myself now and I’m looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.

“It’s going to be a tough series. We’re all aware of that in our team. We just can’t wait to get out there against Kent and Essex and get ourselves in the best preparation we can before the first Test.”

Originally published as The Ashes 2015: Shaun Marsh happy to play anywhere he’s asked — he just wants a game