Shaun Marsh has a burning desire to return to Test ranks, but the 29-year-old batsman knows he has to make a big impact for Australia A first if he is to achieve his dream.
Marsh’s Test career hit the skids 17 months ago when he was axed from the national side following a nightmare series against India, in which he averaged just 2.83 over six innings.
His state career also came under threat after another lean run with the bat saw him dumped back to club cricket.
But a remarkable return to form in last summer’s Twenty20 Big Bash campaign revived Marsh’s international prospects, with the West Australian earning recalls in both the T20 and one-day arena.
Marsh now has the chance to push his case for a Test recall when he lines up for Australia A in their tour of South Africa, starting next month.
Although Marsh is extremely unlikely to feature in the upcoming Ashes series in England, he could put himself in the frame for selection for the return Ashes leg in Australia this summer.
Marsh, who has overcome the hamstring injury he suffered at the end of last summer, said he’s desperate to add to his seven Tests.
“Once you have that taste of playing Test cricket, when you do get dropped, you want to try and fight and get back there,” Marsh said.
“I’ve got that burning desire to get back there to that top level again, so I’m looking forward to it.
“I’ve come a long way since Christmas, before the Big Bash. And even myself, I wouldn’t have thought I’d play for Australia before summer.
“It just goes to show that if you keep doing the right thing on and off the field and you keep scoring runs, you’re going to be there in the selectors’ minds.
“I’ve got another opportunity, hopefully I can grab it with both hands.”