Big Show may yet appear on stage
GLENN Maxwell ( right) has stormed into contention to play in the first Test after Shaun Marsh sparked a fresh Ashes drama by joining David Warner on the injury watch list.
Marsh complained of back stiffness in the nets yesterday, and while it’s understood he is confident of being right, he will have to be assessed today.
The fact Marsh has a long history of back problems means Australia must now w seriously weigh up whether they can risk the left- hander for such a crucial battle.
Warner looks highly likely to play, but to have two members of the top six under a cloud on the eve of the first Test is a potential disaster for an Australian side which 48 hours ago thought its preparations were on track.
It will be a challenge for captain Steve Smith to keep his side focused and settled.
Maxwell arrived in Brisbane last night on standby for both players, and after being axed from the original squad last week, his long- awaited debut on home soil is suddenly firming as he vies to shed his tag as a subcontinental specialist.
There have been constant doubts cast over Maxwell’s ability to handle the short ball on bouncy home pitches, but finally selectors are willing to back his all- round skill and impressive first- class record, dismissing theories he was on the outer and had his cards marked for this summer.
Marsh seized up with a jarred back in the last Test match he played in Dharamsala earlier this year.
During a 2011 Test in Cape Town, he was also unable to move and was rendered a passenger for Australia’s second innings all out for 47.
There is no suggestion Marsh’s injury is serious, but given his shocking problems in the past, even a small hiccup could worsen badly over the course of a five- day Test.
Marsh pulled up with a stiff back just a day after Warner twinged his neck, but Australia have all but ruled out calling in a second batsman as cover.
Marsh has had nine lives in the Australian team, never lasting more than five Tests at a time and Michael Slater expressed doubts over the enigmatic star’s fitness.
“I just hope his ( Marsh) body gets through the summer. That’s been his achilles heel,” Nine commentator Slater said last week.
Even if Marsh plays, there is a huge spotlight on the wisdom of selectors to pick him – as good as his batting form has been. NSW opener Ed Cowan suggested that Steve Smith was among those shocked that Marsh had got another chance when the directive seemed to be to go for younger players.
Australia have lost the two matches Marsh has failed to get through in Cape Town and Dharamsala and the nightmare scenario at the Gabba would be if both he and Warner were not operating at 100 per cent out in the middle.
The Australian camp is confident Warner will be fit with Test great Merv Hughes tipping the vice- captain to back up his pre- series aggression and take the old enemy on like a “pit bull in the junkyard”.
“He’s very confident and he says he’ll be right to go,” Smith said. “He’ll be OK.”
Hughes predicted Warner would live up to the hype and lead from the front.
“I love Davey Warner when he’s barking,” Hughes said. “He’s not the little chihuahua in the front yard that he barks and barks and barks and when someone jumps the fence he runs off to the backyard.
“He’s sitting at the fence, he’s barking and barking and barking and if you jump the fence he’s going to rip your leg off.
“To me it just means he’s up for the fight and he’s switched on. The great thing about Davey is when he talks it up he normally backs it up.”