Marsh in gritty stand

NATHAN Lyon has heaped praise on Shaun Marsh, saying the much-maligned batsman is in the “form of his life” after helping rescue Australia from the brink of Ashes disaster.

One of the most contentious picks for the first Test, Marsh produced one the most important knocks of his stopstart career to finish day two at the Gabba on 44 not out.

Marsh’s critics would have been sharpening their knives when the West Australian strode to the crease, with the hosts reduced to 4-76 in pursuit of England’s 302.

And with the man he controversially beat for the No.6 batting role, Glenn Maxwell, smoking an unbeaten 213 in the Sheffield Shield for Victoria yesterday, he couldn’t afford to fail.

But instead of faltering under the pressure, Marsh forged a stubborn 89-run stand with skipper Steve Smith.

Lyon said he always had confidence the 34-year-old could do it.

“There’s obviously a lot of nerves, it’s an Ashes series,” Lyon said.

“But there’s a lot of confidence in that change room regarding each and every one of those players.

“He looks composed, calm at the wicket.

“I’m very happy with SOS so I’m very confident he can come out and hopefully build a big partnership with Smithy again tomorrow morning.”

It’s been a bizarre Test match so far for Marsh.

He went into it with concerns over a lingering back injury and needed painkilling injections to play but was thrust straight into the field at short leg on day one.