Shaun Marsh omission could spell end of Test career, says Ricky Ponting

The 36-year-old batsman is averaging 63.28 in this season’s Sheffield Shield, including scores of 85, 214, 85 and 77

Shaun Marsh’s omission from Australia’s squad for the first Test against Pakistan could spell the end of his international career in red-ball cricket, believes Ricky Ponting.

The 36-year-old batsman is averaging 63.28 in this season’s Sheffield Shield, including scores of 85, 214, 85 and 77.

However, he has not played Test cricket since appearing in the fourth instalment of a home series against India in January and was not picked for either Australia's squad against Pakistan or the preceding Australia A fixture.

It appeared that Will Pucovski would receive the nod to be included in Australia’s party for the upcoming challenge posed by Pakistan, but he withdrew his name from consideration for mental health reasons.

Cameron Bancroft, though, was ultimately selected – presumably in Pucovski's place, despite an underwhelming start to the domestic season.

Even Bancroft, speaking before the 14-man group was announced, suggested a position in the squad would be “probably highly unlikely, I would have thought.”

He has made just 57 runs in Australia’s first-class competition this season, with those coming at an average of 9.50. However, he made a dogged 49 for Australia A against Misbah-ul-Haq’s side which, in essence, became a shootout for a berth in Australia’s Test side.

Of Marsh’s omission, Ponting told cricket.com.au: “He's the form player in Shield cricket and the fact they haven't picked him now probably means his time is up.

“There's no doubt what a talent he is but if he was going to get picked, it would be in this series.”

^{Cameron Bancroft has been selected for Australia's first Test against Pakistan despite a poor run of form}

Marcus Harris, who endured a torrid Ashes series at the top of Australia’s order, has also been left out, as well as Usman Khawaja. Harris has managed 266 runs in just three games since returning to the domestic fold, with those coming at an average of 53.20.

Khawaja has fared less well this season for Queensland. Despite making consecutive centuries in 50-over cricket at the end of September, he has struggled for runs in the first-class game.

The 32-year-old was dropped during the Ashes, where he failed to make regular runs. Yet, his record in the Test arena is far better in Australia than in England. He averages close to 53 on home soil, as opposed to just 19.66.

“Everything they need to be doing now is building towards the next Ashes series,” Ponting added. “It's always important a couple of years out to start building if you have those young players there to bring in.

“I don't know if they've put a line through [Khawaja]. But all anyone can do is go back and make runs in Shield cricket and hopefully he can do that.

“I'm probably a little bit surprised that he's not playing. I've always been a big supporter of him, and he's always been a highly-talented player who does excel in Australia.”

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