BBL path to Boxing Day for Marsh

Western Australia batsman Shaun Marsh need only get through a KFC Big Bash League match unharmed to be available for Test selection, according to coach Darren Lehmann.

Australia named an unchanged 12-man squad for the first Test against Pakistan in a week’s time in Brisbane with Marsh not considered for selection as he continues to recover from a broken finger he sustained in the summer’s opening Test in Perth.

Full squad: Australia v Pakistan, first Test

Marsh hasn’t picked up a bat since suffering the injury more than a month ago, but Lehmann says all the 33-year-old has to do is complete a match unscathed for his BBL side Perth Scorchers to be considered for a Test recall.

"Hopefully he’ll be batting soon," Lehmann told reporters on Thursday.

"The specialists will see him this week so hopefully that goes well and he starts (batting).

"He’s only got BBL to play. If he plays that and gets through then he’ll be available for selection."

With the final round of the Sheffield Shield before the BBL break concluding today, Marsh will have just one game for the Scorchers, on December 23 against Adelaide Strikers in Perth, to prove his fitness for the traditional Boxing Day Test.

However, Lehmann points out Test No.3 Usman Khawaja went through the same scenario last year after he hurt his hamstring in the Perth Test against New Zealand.

Khawaja had one match against the Melbourne Stars at the MCG on December 20 to prove his fitness for the MCG Test, with the left-hander blasting 109no and returning to the Test side six days later, coincidentally in place of Marsh.

Where Marsh would bat if selected in Australia’s Test XI is still uncertain, with Lehmann saying it would likely come down to the performances of the new crop of batsmen in the top six.

Marsh has scored centuries in positions No.1 to No.5 in the batting order, but has prominently been an opener in recent times, where he scored his most recent century against Sri Lanka in August and backed that up with 63 against the Proteas at the WACA Ground last month.

"(Marsh) did really well in Perth in a Test match for us opening," Lehmann said.

"He got the hundred in Sri Lanka opening but he’s had success down the order as well.

"He’s one of those guys who can fit anywhere in the top six, which is always pleasing to have.

"It depends on what happens with other positions."

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