Marsh capitalises on good fortune

A slice of good fortune allowed the best of Shaun Marsh to shine through on the second day of Australia's practice match here in Antigua, with the left-hander producing a near faultless innings to firm for selection in next week's first Test against the West Indies.

Near faultless, that is, with the exception of the life he was granted when on just 4 early in his innings.

It was a moment the purists among the small crowd here in Antigua would have appreciated as Marsh took full advantage with an eye-catching performance, the left-hander scoring more than half his team's runs to be unbeaten on 118 at the close as the tourists finished the day on 6-205 in reply to the home side's 382.

Scorecard: Australia v West Indies President's XI

But the manner in which Marsh was put down, and more specifically the man who dropped him, was a reminder of the 'sliding doors' nature of the game, particularly for those like Marsh who aren't yet assured of selection for Australia's winter Tests.

Given Australia's most recent red-ball match was almost five months ago, it's easy to forget that Marsh is Australia's incumbent Test No.5 and produced scores of 32, 17, 32, 99, 73 and 1 in the three Tests he played against India last summer.

Marsh returned for those Tests replacing injured skipper Michael Clarke who was recovering from hamstring surgery, while Joe Burns batted at No.6 in the reshuffled middle order before the Queenslander was replaced by Adam Voges in the winter Test squads after the West Australian’s record-breaking Bupa Sheffield Shield season.

Clarke, who is not part of the four-man selection panel, made some interesting comments during the week in regards to the Australian XI for the first Test in Dominica, starting on Wednesday.

When asked on Saturday about the prospect of uncapped trio Voges, Fawad Ahmed and Peter Nevill fighting their way into the Test side with a good performance in the warm-up match, Clarke replied: "And Shaun as well. I think those four guys definitely have a great opportunity to fight their way into the XI."

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Marsh raises the bat after completing his 14th first-class ton // WICB

It means Marsh's innings today, and the stroke of luck early on, could be a turning point in a Test career that due to injury and form has featured just 12 Tests since his memorable debut in Sri Lanka almost four years ago.

The moment of fortune came shortly after Marsh's opening partner Chris Rogers fell to a stunning one-handed catch from Carlos Brathwaite, with the tall allrounder throwing himself full length to his left at gully to remove the Victorian for 2.

Just moments later and in the shadows of lunch, Marsh offered another chance to Brathwaite in the same position, but was put down.

It was a low chance, but one Brathwaite would have expected to hold, especially given the stunning grab he'd taken just minutes earlier.

"I was a little bit lucky early doors obviously with that catch," Marsh said.

"It's just nice to switch back on and get through and once the new ball started to get a little bit older, it was quite easy to bat.

"So it was nice to get out there and get a few runs and hopefully I can get a few more tomorrow morning." 

Marsh looked every inch the Test batsman after the let-off, hitting 13 crisply-struck boundaries and three towering straight sixes off the slower bowlers.

Always easy on the eye when in good touch, those sixes displayed the best of the 31-year-old; fast feet, superb timing and an effortless follow through that many a batsman from these parts would be proud of.

And he brought up three figures in fine style as well, piercing the gap at cover when on 96 and celebrating his century with little more than a quick raise of the bat to his teammates and a shake of the hand with batting partner Nevill.

And Marsh was typically understated and self-effacing after play as well.

He even heaped praise on one of his main rivals for a middle-order spot in the Test team, his state teammate Voges, who compiled a polished 52 before being trapped in front by left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican (3-69).

"It's always nice to score a few runs in a tour match before a Test series," Marsh said.

"It was just nice to get out there and hit a few in the middle.

"I thought (Voges) batted fantastically well again.

"His form over the last 18 months has been unbelievable and every time he bats he scores runs.

"I thought he did really well, he copped a pretty good ball today and it's good to have Vogesy on tour with us."