In one sense, Australia will summon a like-for-like replacement if Chris Rogers is ruled out of the third Ashes Test.
Shaun Marsh may lack Rogers’ extensive experience in English conditions.
But Marsh, who scored 131 runs in Derby, is in career-best touch like Rogers according to brother Mitch.
“I don’t know what’s changed, but he’s just doing it consistently at the moment and it’s great to see him pushing for selection,” Mitch Marsh said after his sibling’s century in Derby.
“If he gets a chance, hopefully he’ll get a good run at it now and there’s a spot there for him.”
The Australian camp remain optimistic Rogers will play the third Test, which starts on Wednesday at Edgbaston.
However, he is still recovering from the balance issue that triggered an alarming dizzy spell on day four of the second Test.
“He had a few underarms this morning and then went for a couple of laps of the ground, so he’s slowly getting back into it,” batting coach Michael Di Venuto said.
Rogers, who linked with the 17-man squad in Nottingham on Friday night, was in good spirits according to Mitch Marsh.
“He’s back to his normal, chirpy self,” Marsh said.
“He’s feeling much better now, so we’ll have to wait and see. I’m sure he’s going to train over the next few days.”
As Rogers underwent tests on his vestibular system on Thursday, Shaun Marsh carved out his second century on tour.
Marsh has reached triple figures against Kent and Derbyshire in his only two chances to shine in the past month.
The West Australian looked composed in both innings, a far cry from the nerve-racked batsman that was run out for 99 at the MCG in last year’s Boxing Day Test.
“For someone who hasn’t had a history of scoring a lot of hundreds, I think what we’re seeing recently is fantastic,” Di Venuto said.
“It’s great news for Australian cricket. It’s brilliant we’ve got someone on the fringes ready to go.”
The Marsh brothers have only played one Test together, when Mitch suffered a hamstring injury at the Gabba last summer.
“If that opportunity comes we’ll be very excited and hopefully I can last a little bit longer this time,” Mitch Marsh said.
