Marsh aims for strong bond with Warner
Oct 28, 2016 - 7:18 AM Fit-again batsman Shaun Marsh will put his recent hamstring scare towards the back of his mind as he attempts to form a formidable opening partnership with David Warner this summer.Marsh's spot for next week's first Test against South Africa at the WACA was under severe doubt when he suffered a minor hamstring injury while batting for Western Australia in a one-day game on October 15.
But he allayed any fears about the severity of the injury by compiling scores of 73 and 110 in WA's Sheffield Shield loss to South Australia this week.
Marsh's ability to prove his fitness while scoring bulk runs convinced selectors to pick him ahead of Joe Burns for the opening Test against South Africa, which begins on Thursday.
The 33-year-old now has the chance to cement his spot at the top of the order alongside Warner, and it's an opportunity he wants to grasp with both hands.
"I'm really confident (in my hamstring). I put it through the measures this game," Marsh said on Friday.
"I was sprinting at my full capacity in the second innings, so touchwood it's all good.
"I've got another week to get it right and make sure it's 110 per cent by next Thursday."
Marsh has opened with Warner on six occasions - with varying success.
The pair shared a 117-run stand during a big Test win over the West Indies last year.
But in four of their other five opening digs together, their partnership has failed to surpass 24.
Marsh hopes their pairing will bear lots of fruit during the three-Test series against South Africa.
"He's a fantastic player," Marsh said of Warner.
"We all know the damage he can do at the top of the order, and hopefully I can feed off that.
"We've batted a few times together in the West Indies, and I really enjoyed batting with him.
"I'm looking forward to getting out there with him and getting the team off to a good start."
Marsh said he has worked hard on his mental game in recent times, and he is approaching every Test as if it could be his last.
Source: AAP
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