Shaun Marsh stakes claim for number three position for 1st Test

Australian left-hander Shaun Marsh smashed an unbeaten 99 to make a strong claim for the number three position in the Australian batting line-up for the first Test against India.

Melbourne: Leaving behind fitness concerns, Australian left-hander Shaun Marsh on Thursday smashed an unbeaten 99 to make a strong claim for the number three position in the Australian batting line-up for the first Test against India.

Marsh, who has a nagging back problem, played for Perth Scorchers against Melbourne Renegades at Twenty20 Big Bash League at Etihad Stadium. After playing his scintillating knock off just 52 balls Marsh said his back is "pretty good" and that he is raring to go in the series-opener. "It has been (good) for a couple of days now and I am just happy I got out there and did well. I`m confident if I get selected I can go well," Marsh said. Marsh, who himself has to take a call on his fitness and availability for the first Test starting here on December 26, said he was aware of his responsibilities. "Obviously it is in the back of my mind. I am confident if I get through the T20 game against Melbourne Renegades and what I have done the past three to four days that I will be right and ready to go. I feel like I haven`t lost too much touch since South Africa," he said after team practice. Marsh credited a new Pilates programme and revamped rehabilitation approach in Perth in the past seven days for his quick progress. "I went to my specialist back home ... changed a few things around, and helped a fair bit. Hopefully I have jumped a hurdle there, continue now and be injury free," he said. The left-handed batsman said he is determined to play against India in Melbourne -- where his father Geoff played seven of 50 Tests -- insisting he had done too much hard work to miss the cricket calendar`s biggest day. "I have worked pretty hard over the past three or fours years to get myself in this position. There is no better feeling than playing in the Test team. To play in front of 75,000 fans is a dream of mine," he said. PTI