Marsh Struggling To Be Fit For Boxing Day Test

Marsh Struggling To Be Fit For Boxing Day Test

Shaun Marsh is a major injury doubt for Australia's first Test against India in Melbourne

©REUTERS / Action Images

Australian batsman Shaun Marsh is losing his race to be fit in time for the opening Test against India which begins on 26th December in Melbourne.

He is not recovering from his back injury quickly enough and has been ruled out of playing in the second warm-up game for the Cricket Australia (CA) Chairman's XI which begins on 19th December.

With CA juggling player injuries and commitments to the KFC T20 Big Bash League, Ed Cowan switches from the first warm-up game to the second, Ryan Broad takes his place as captain while Cameron Boyce replaces injured Joe Mennie for the first match.

The first game is from 15th to 16th December while David Warner captains the second game, which is a three-day game. Both matches are held at the Manuka Oval in Canberra.

"Our long term planning for the Vodafone Boxing Day Test had been based around the principle that all fit players would be available for round one KFC T20 Big Bash League games and then their focus will turn towards their individual preparation plans for the first Test against India," CA's Pat Howard explained.

"While we are hopeful, Shaun’s chances of recovering sufficiently in order to be considered for the first Vodafone Test against India are considered unlikely at this stage," he added.

CA Chairman's XI for match one (15th-16th December): Ryan Broad (captain), Cameron Boyce, Joe Burns, Tom Cooper, Alex Doolan, Peter George, Jake Haberfield, Josh Lalor, Tim Ludeman, Glenn Maxwell, Wes Robinson, Dean Solway

CA Chairman's XI for match two (19th-21st December): David Warner (captain), Doug Bollinger, Cameron Boyce, Tom Cooper, Trent Copeland, Ed Cowan, Alex Doolan, Peter George, Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Josh Lalor, Tim Ludeman

© Cricket World 2011