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Star-studded WA lose Marsh for one-day final

NSW and WA name a combined 12 international players for Sunday's Marsh Cup Final, but the veteran batter has remained in Perth

Western Australia will be without star batter Shaun Marsh for Sunday's Marsh One-Day Cup Final against NSW in Sydney, with the veteran to remain in Perth to be with his family.

The state's most prolific 50-over run-scorer, Marsh pulled out of Thursday's game against Tasmania due to a family illness and did not join his teammates on their flight to Sydney on Friday morning.

While Marsh's absence is undoubtedly a blow as WA look to defend their one-day title, it's saved selectors from making a difficult decision on who to leave out of their star-studded side.

The WA batting line-up for their double bonus point win on Friday featured five Australian representatives – Josh Philippe, D'Arcy Short, Mitch Marsh, Cameron Green and Ashton Turner – as well as Sam Whiteman and Josh Inglis, their two leading run-scorers this season.

Former Test batters Cameron Bancroft and Hilton Cartwright have not even been picked in WA's extended squad for the final.

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Marsh, who will turn 38 in July, has another year to run on his contract with Western Australia and also has a season left on his KFC BBL deal with the Melbourne Renegades.

Having again been one of WA's leading run-scorer's this season with four centuries across both formats, he's already flagged his enthusiasm to play on next summer.

"I know I'm nearer the end of my career than the start but I haven't once thought about retirement," he told cricket.com.au in February after he was named the domestic player of the year.

"Once you start thinking about it, you're probably already there.

Behrendorff fires with bat and ball in first game since 2018

"At this stage I just want to keep playing well for WA. I've got another year (contracted) with WA and we'll see where that gets me.

"I just want to keep moving this group in WA forward. I'm enjoying that role at the moment."

NSW have been boosted by the return of Sean Abbott for Sunday's final after his recovery from a hand injury.

Young leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha has also been named and could form part of a two-man spin attack with Nathan Lyon, while Australia stars Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will lead to attack.

WA are looking to defend the one-day title they won last year while the Blues, who will also contest the Marsh Sheffield Shield final against Queensland, are aiming for their first title since 2017.

2021 Marsh Cup Final

NSW Blues v Western Australia at Bankstown Oval, Sunday April 11, 9.30am AEST

NSW squad: Kurtis Patterson (c), Sean Abbott, Oliver Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Matthew Gilkes, Liam Hatcher, Josh Hazlewood, Daniel Hughes, Nick Larkin, Nathan Lyon, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, Mitchell Starc

WA squad: Mitch Marsh (c), Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Cameron Green, Liam Guthrie, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, David Moody, Lance Morris, Josh Philippe, D’Arcy Short, Ashton Turner, Sam Whiteman

The 2021 Marsh Cup Final will be broadcast LIVE in Australia on Fox Cricket & Kayo Sports and live streamed for free globally on cricket.com.au & the CA Live app. ABC Grandstand's live radio coverage will also be available on cricket.com.au & the CA Live app