Marsh to Make Test Debut

With Shaun Marsh set to debut in the second test are we beginning to see a changing of the guard? This series has already seen three relatively new faces take to the field and with the addition of a fourth it would appear that the side is truly ready to succeed at the highest level with new blood.

Marsh has been in and out of the limited overs setup frequently over the previous two years and finally gets his chance in the baggy green while Ricky Ponting returns home for the birth of his second child. His T20 expertise is undoubted with 2139 runs at an average of 42.78. He is surely a proven run scorer. Marsh has had some excellent seasons in the longest format of the game but other seasons have seen him fall short of his potential. Despite these intermittent failures one can surely trust he will step up when necessary.

The adaptability of Marsh's game would appear to make him perfect for the role at number six. Strangely it will be Khawaja left as the final specialist batsman in the order with Marsh set to come in at first drop. On the flip side Marsh will enjoy the chance to face a newer ball coming onto the bat as he has done far more regularly when playing his first class cricket for Western Australia. If Marsh gets himself in there's certainly potential for a pyrotechnics display similar to the ones we've seen him provide in the IPL.

With the obvious exception of Watson at the top of the order it could be said that the Australian batting lineup has become very 'proper' in their approach. Illustrated by the tendency of the top order batsman to edge out pushing forward defensively during the last Ashes where a full blooded shot or leave would have been far better. Marsh therefore with his attacking pedigree could just be the spark needed to push Australia's good starts into huge and imposing totals. Marsh's proven ability to score big runs at a fast rate is perfectly illustrated by his statistics in the shortest form of the game. His ability to take the bowlers on and his attacking mindset are perfect for a team that needs a kick to set the tone for it's innings.

With the Australian batting line up falling into place nicely all looks up for the side in their quest to return to number one in world cricket. The youngest additions to side, Marsh, Khawaja, Lyon and Copeland all appear capable to make it at the highest level. Only time will tell now if Australia will once again be top of the pile. For now the number 3 position sits in the hands of a young Shaun Marsh.

India Moving Forward

Sachin Tendulkar has returned home with a sore big toe with four matches remaining in the ODI series against England. What does this mean for India? It's either a massive blow or an insignificance. While Tendulkar certainly had a golden 2010 he seems to be falling short of the mark thus far in mid 2011.

It would appear 'The Little Master' is completely content with what he has done in the game and with his 100th hundred you would expect him to call it a day. Tendulkar looks to have lost that drive to win and succeed. So without that killer instinct that lead him to conquer the world of cricket, is his position in the side justified? Furthermore, is he now only playing for himself?

I've always been a believer that there is no substitute for pure talent, especially when it comes hand in hand with experience. Having said that, India are on the brink of losing the likes of Tendulkar, Laxman, Dravid and others whom carry with them that wealth of experience. Is it time for India to get Raina, Kohli and Manoj Tiwary into the test side? While all this discussion seems somewhat detract I can answer my own question by saying no.

The management of the Indian side need to reinvigorate Tendulkar once again and get him to perform in a similar manner to last year, just as Dravid has done this English summer. India have a wealth of players lying in wait. The two things India need to do are 1. Play less T20 and; 2. Play more first class cricket. If these talented young players find a way to put aside their IPL commitments and play county cricket they will be far better off. This is where they can further their own development and experiences. They can be playing a high standard of tough first class cricket against world class players outside of the Indian team.

Team India are lucky enough to have some fantastic batsman among their ranks and should continue to persist in picking their absolutely best eleven. If India can develop another good fast bowler, have Harbhajan Singh back in form and get a fit Zaheer Khan back in the side they will once again reign supreme. Their few weaknesses can be easily fixed and a second coming of sorts is well within the question. They've got the players, all they need now is to rekindle their form and fire on all cylinders moving forward.

Trent Copeland's First Test Wicket

Trent Copeland strikes in his first over of international cricket to remove the Sri Lankan captain, Tillakaratne Dilshan.
What a legend!

Captaincy Equals Discipline?

Some how it didn't occur to me that Stuart Broad would actually be allowed to captain England again. But here we are awaiting Broad's next attempt at the top job. I hope I'm not alone when i say he is surely the least capable candidate as a captain. However as usual I don't doubt I'll soon be proved wrong.

Stuart Broad and hot head seem to go hand in hand. If Broad wants to assert himself as a genuine England cricket captain he must 1. maintain his current hot streak of form, after all you don't want your captain to be in a position Broad landed in leading into the Sri Lanka T20's where it was hard to pick the guy let alone have him leading the side and; 2. develop some form of composure. Time and time again I see Broad beat the bat only to explode and self-destruct with rage that it didn't result in a wicket.

The world isn't actually against Broad and until he figures this out there's going to be a long hard road ahead. For a man with such talent, pace, swing and ability to bat there seems to be a critical lack of cricketing sense up stairs when it comes to attitude. Despite this, nothing makes me happier than to see Broad's brain capitulate at a miss field by KP and the two hottest of heads in the side clash in an inferno the likes of a wild fire.

Nathans ideal passage of English cricket

Broad bowls, gets an edge which runs away for 4 after Pietersen cannot stop it in the gully

Broad: "Use your hands you p***k"

Pietersen: "F**k off, bowl at the stumps!"

Broad: "You're a useless t**t"

Ahhh if only it were like that all the time.

The best candidate for the current T20 side remains without doubt in my mind Eion Morgan who lead the side in their ODI against Ireland a few days ago. Morgan remains a certainty in any limited overs side and is blessed with natural leadership skills.

Despite all of this it would seem the added responsibility of actually being captain means Broad MUST remain disciplined and keep his head. Maybe being captain is exactly what Broad needs to get the best from himself. Only time will tell how good he can and will be as a player and as a leader. So for now I'll just have to let him go out and do his thing.

I wish Broad went for 50 today though :/