Hussey wary of India’s ability to fight back

Illness scare for Marsh ahead of 3rd Test in Perth.

SYDNEY:

Australian top-order batsman Shaun Marsh was unable to fulfil a media engagement ahead of the third test against India in Perth because of illness.      

Team officials said the 28-year-old should be fit to train today ahead of Friday’s start to the Test at the Waca but his form in the four-match series has been far from convincing, despite Australia making a strong start with emphatic wins in Melbourne and Sydney.

Batting at number three, Marsh has been out without scoring twice and made three in the second-innings at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Meanwhile, Mike Hussey, who bucked his own run of poor form with a superb unbeaten 150 in Sydney, backed his fellow Western Australian to find his touch at his home ground.

“The Waca crowd always gives the local guys a huge welcome and a louder roar than any other player,” said Hussey. “He has got plenty of motivation to play exceptionally well on his home ground.”

Meanwhile, the left-handed batsman added that his team was not looking for a 4-0 whitewash yet after convincingly taking the first two Tests. Hussey was wary of a strong comeback from India given the last encounter of these two teams in Perth when the tourists won by 72 runs in 2008.

“There were some real outstanding performances in that game,” recalled Hussey. “They are a very proud bunch of cricketers and I am expecting them to bounce back extremely hard.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 10^th, 2012.