Pakistan vs Australia: Justin Langer talks about Shaun Marsh's inclusion in the visitors' squad

The touring Australian side led by Aaron Finch was able to defeat India in the recently concluded ODI series with the aid of outstanding batting performances from the visitors. In the absence of the prolific cricketers like Steve Smith and David Warner, a depleted Aussie batting line-up has come a long way. Meanwhile, Australia coach Justin Langer has spoken about Shaun Marsh’s inclusion in the squad for the upcoming series against Pakistan.

But there have been confusions regarding team selections as well, especially due to the aforementioned batting performances. The confusion regarding the selection of batsmen has extended to the bowling department as well. There are still doubts regarding the availability of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, both suffering from injuries, in the World Cup in England and Wales.

The joint highest wicket-taker of the 2015 World Cup Mitchell Starc, is however expected to return fully fit before the World Cup. Langer has revealed that the team management is also uncertain regarding the Adam Zampa and Nathan Lyon conundrum. They still haven’t decided about whom to add in the squad for the UAE tour. This series against Pakistan is vital as it’s Australia’s final venture before the start of the mega event. 

“There will be 19 or 20 guys who deserve to be in the World Cup squad … we’ve got a few selection headaches. That’s a great problem to have. That’s been the cornerstone of Australian cricket for a long time, intense competition,” Langer said prior to the flying from India to Dubai.

Shaun Marsh is an important part of the team, says Justin Langer

After remarkable batting performances from the Man of the Series [in the India tour] Usman Khawaja, middle-order batsman Peter Handscomb and series debutant Ashton Turner, more questions have arisen since it’s time for the return of David Warner and Steve Smith from their one year ban. Additionally, now the concern is regarding the spot of  Shaun Marsh, the star performer of the Australian team from last year, in the team. 

Marsh, who scored four ODI hundreds in 2018 with an exceptional average, is expected to feature in the UAE tour against Pakistan later this month. “He’s too good a player not to [give him a chance in the UAE]. He’s been our most successful ODI player in the last 12 months, probably longer. It was tough (in India) that he’d come back in off the back of a hamstring injury; he missed out a few times but he’s a gun player, a really important part of the team,” Langer on Marsh.

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