12 Interesting facts about Shaun Marsh

For Shaun Marsh, cricket runs in his blood. Like his father Geoff Marsh, Shaun is an opening batsman who believes in the no-frills style of batting. Shaun was introduced to cricket quite early, travelling to matches quite regularly. Later, he began to excel wonderfully at age group levels, impressing one and all with his batting and was earned the reputation of being one of the best young names in the domestic circuit. Soon, after some grind at the domestic level, he entered the national team and tasted instant success. By all means, he was meant to be a cricketer. However, the next couple of years saw his getting in and out of the team and unfortunately could never seal his place as the permanent member of the team.

1.Born on:

Shaun Edward Marsh was born on July 9, 1983, in the town of Narrogin of Western Australia.

2. The sporty family:

Shaun was inclined towards sports since his childhood. His father Geoff Marsh, former Australian opener, was an important member of the Australian of the 80’s. The Marsh family is one of only three cricketing families in which a father and two sons have played Test cricket, the others being Hadlees (Walter, Dale and Richard Hadlee) and Amarnaths (Lala, Surinder and Mohinder Amarnath). His younger brother Mitchell is also a Test cricketer. Shaun’s younger sister Melissa was a Women’s National Basketball League player.

3. Early life:

Shaun and his younger brother Mitchell attended Wesley College in Perth.

4. Played U 19 cricket alongside future Test superstars:

Marsh represented Australia at both the 1999–2000 and 2001–02 ICC Under-19 World Cups. In the 1999–2000 tournament which was held in Sri Lanka, he was the second highest run scorer for Australia sitting just behind his future teammate Shane Watson. The team also featured future Test skipper Michael Clarke, off-spinner Nathan Hauritz and fast bowler Mitchell Johnson. Shaun was also a part of Australia’s victorious Under-19 squad that won the World Cup in the following year.

5. SOS – The nickname:

Shaun Marsh is known as ‘SOS’ which translates to ‘Son of Swampy.’ He got this nickname during his junior cricket days as his father Geoff was known as ‘Swampy.’

6. Astounds Steve Waugh:

A teenaged Shaun first came to the limelight when he scored a tremendous 119 against a full-strength New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield. The knock was so impressive that NSW captain Steve Waugh said that it was “the best innings I have ever seen from a 19-year-old.”

7. International debut:

Shaun made his international debut for Australia in the one-off T20I against West Indies in 2008. He also made his ODI debut in the same tour.   

8. Receives the Test cap from his father:

In July 2011, Marsh was selected for the Australian Test Squad for the tour to Sri Lanka following a couple of outstanding season for Western Australia.  Shaun made his debut in the 2nd test of the series at Pallekele and received his Test cap from his father Geoff.

9. Makes his debut memorable:

After getting his Test cap from his father, Shaun made his debut more memorable by scoring a wonderful 141.

10. Indian Premier League:

The young promising Shaun Marsh was picked by IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab for USD 30,000. he repaid the faith shown in him by ending the season as the highest run-getter of for the side, scoring with 616 runs, including a century, at an average of 68.44 in 11 games. He was also named in the IPL Dream XI team of the inaugural season by ESPNCricinfo.

11. The loyal Punjabi:

Marsh is one of only seven cricketers to have played for the same IPL franchise — KXIP — in every edition of the tournament so far.

12. Personal life:

Shaun is married to Channel Seven journalist Rebecca O’Donovan Both tied the knot on April 2, 2015 and have a son together. His brother in law is animator and Steam Train (series) co-host Ross O’Donovan.