Steve Waugh picks Marsh over Renshaw to open with Warner
MELBOURNE: Matthew Renshaw may have staked his claim for the opener’s spot after doing well against Pakistan but Steve Waugh wants Shaun Marsh to open alongside David Warner when Australia take on India in the first
Test starting in Pune, February 23.
“For me, while Matt Renshaw has done exceptionally well in Australia. I’d be very tempted to play Shaun Marsh in the first Test,” Waugh said during a fan chat on his Facebook page.
“He (Marsh) has a proven track record and he was the incumbent opener before he was injured. I think he’s ready to go at this level, he knows the conditions well, he’s played in the Indian Premier League.
“It gives Australia a bit more experience. I would open the batting with him and Dave Warner,” Waugh opined.
Marsh has been recalled into the Test squad, having recovered from a finger fracture he suffered in the first Test against South Africa at the WACA in November.
The 33-year-old has a decent record in the subcontinent, where he averages more than 78 in Tests including two hundreds in Sri Lanka.
“I’m happy he is back in the squad. I think he can add something in those conditions, he’s got a very good record on the subcontinent particularly against Sri Lanka on the two tours he’s been there,” Waugh added. Former world No 1 Maria Sharapova has been invited to play at the Madrid Open in May, which takes place less than two weeks after her 15-month doping ban expires, tournament organisers said on Wednesday.
The five-time Grand Slam winner has been given a wildard for the event, which begins on May 5.
It is scheduled to be her second comeback tournament after her suspension for doping, with the Russian set to return to action at the Stuttgart Grand Prix in April. “Sharapova requested an invitation to play... (She) is one of the best