Ind vs Aus 2019: Shaun Marsh set to return for 2nd ODI
After missing the first ODI of ongoing India versus Australia series, veteran batsman Shaun Marsh is set to return to the playing XI. The left-handed batsman is reportedly available for selection for the second game of the five-match series at Nagpur.
The 35-year-old missed the first game at Hyderabad, owing to his late arrival in India after the birth of his second child back home. Reports of a worrisome hamstring niggle had earlier indicated at a possible return only in the third ODI, but is now all set to grab his spot at No.3, according to cricket.com.au.
He was part of the ODI team that hosted India at home earlier this year.
Marsh's inclusion could bolster Australia's batting, especially during captain Aaron Finch's lean run at the top.
Australia lost the first game by six wickets, having posted a sub-par 236 on the board after batting first. Lack of partnerships in the middle meant that Australia kept losing wickets at regular intervals, with only Usman Khawaja getting to a fifty.
Ashton Turner, who came in at No.6 and scored a 23-ball 21 at the death, could be the one making way for Marsh, whose experience of playing a decade of IPL in the country could very well work in his side's favour.
Injuries and poor form have limited Marsh's ODI appearances to only 63, but given the dearth of experience in the Australian roster currently, especially with the absence of Steve Smith and David Warner, the left-handed batsman holds a prominent role.
With Marsh taking the spot at 3, all-rounder Marcus Stoinis could drop down the batting lineup and bolster the lower middle-order.
The second match will be played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium at Nagpur, and will begin at 1:30 pm.