Perth, Jan 9: Australian top-order batsman Shaun Marsh has been hit by a bout of gastro but will play the third Test at Perth against India beginning January 13. Marsh was scheduled to speak at a media conference this morning but was unable to do so due to his illness.
Marsh, who has had an ordinary run in the two Tests so far with scores of 0, 3 and 0 in the victories in Melbourne and Sydney, made his debut when Australia toured Sri Lanka in September last year. He made an immediate impact with an innings of 141.
However, a back injury during Australia’s tour of South Africa towards the end of last year sidelined Marsh for six weeks, and he returned to the Test side after just one Twenty20 match for the Perth Scorchers.
Nevertheless, Australian batsman Mike Hussey sounded confident that Marsh would be fit to play at Perth.
"I'm sure he's fine and he'll be at training tomorrow with the boys, preparing as well as he can, " Hussey told reporters at Perth.
"He'll be really looking forward to playing on his home ground in his first home Test. The WACA crowd always give the local guys a huge welcome and a louder roar than any other player, so he's got plenty of motivation to play exceptionally well in this Test," he said.
Australia have already been hit by an injury to pacer James Pattinson which has forced him out of the remainder of the series. The young fast bowler, who complained of pain in his left foot towards the end of the Sydney Test, was ruled out after scans revealed early signs of stress fractures in his left foot.
