Shaun Marsh recalled to Australia T20 squad for Sri Lanka matches

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia has recalled Shaun Marsh to the Twenty20 team for the upcoming two matches against Sri Lanka, with chairman of selectors John Inverarity saying his compelling form in the domestic Big Bash League earned the recall.

The first game will be in Sydney on Saturday and Melbourne two days later.

Marsh topped the averages in the Big Bash competition this season, scoring 412 runs at an average of 58.85 for beaten finalists, the Perth Scorchers.

He was one of six players named on Monday in Australia’s 12-man squad who didn’t play at the Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka three months ago.

Middle-order batsman David Hussey, veteran all-rounder Brad Hogg, Cameron White and Dan Christian were among players who took part in the World Cup but missed selection on Monday.

Marsh, Aaron Finch, Adam Voges, Ben Cutting, James Faulkner and Ben Laughlin were included in their place. Inverarity said some selections, including that of Marsh, were clear cut.

“Marsh’s form in the BBL has been absolutely compelling,” Inverarity said. “He’s batted brilliantly and we all know how well he can play when he’s in a good space and he seems to be in a very good space at the moment.

“We’ve just picked the best squad we can. It was David Hussey or Glenn Maxwell and we’ve gone with Glenn Maxwell and some other younger players have performed better than Cameron White.”

Inverarity said he hoped Marsh would eventually force his way back into the Australia test side. No place was found in the Twenty20 squad for Luke Pomersbach who scored 397 runs during the Big Bash League.

Inverarity said Pomersbach’s history of off-field misbehaviour had not been considered but he needed more time to prove himself in domestic cricket.

“The batting positions were pretty tight and Ben Rohrer and Luke Pomersbach both received very strong consideration,” he said.

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Australia squad: George Bailey (captain), Ben Cutting, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Ben Laughlin, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Adam Voges, Matthew Wade, David Warner.

22:53ET 20-01-13