Marsh passes baton to Green as face of WA cricket

Mark Friday March 10 because the day WA cricket’s torch was handed – the tip of 1 period, and the beginning of a brand new one.

Out of the dying embers of Shaun Marsh’s announcement of his retirement got here Cam Green’s maiden Test century, the brand new face of the game in WA making his mark because the previous one rode off into the sundown.

For the previous 20 years, Marsh has been the West Aussie who answered the sandgroper SOS and crammed the post-Adam Gilchrist and Justin Langer void within the nationwide groups.

Green is simply 23, a 12 months youthful than Marsh was when he made his Australian debut in a Twenty20 match in opposition to the West Indies.

For the previous 20 years, it has been laborious to think about a WA Sheffield Shield or one-day aspect with out Marsh batting up the order, dispatching errant balls together with his marvelous cowl drive.

And though he swapped Scorchers orange for Renegades’ pink late in his profession, he helped his hometown staff to their first two Big Bash titles, top-scoring with an unbeaten 63 and 73 respectively of their first two victorious finals.

The stats converse for themselves; 22 seasons, 12,000 first-class runs, 32 centuries, third all-time in WA Shield historical past for runs (8347 at a median of 42.37) behind solely Langer and Tom Moody.

Perhaps simply as importantly, he was ours; for a state which prides itself on parochialism, it was simple to fall head over heels for Marsh, the uber-talented batter with the well-known father and brother who reserved his finest performances for the black and gold.

You knew summer time was across the nook if you flicked on the news and noticed Marsh has steered WA to victory with one other well-taken century.

Fans across the nation by no means took to Marsh the way in which West Australians did, more than likely as a result of his at-times inconsistent type within the Test area.

But he nonetheless managed 38 appearances within the whites, amassing 2265 runs at a median of 34.31 which included 10 50s and 6 centuries.

It is telling that with one other Sheffield Shield closing doubtlessly on the horizon, Marsh opted to retire instantly; somewhat than holding out hope of claiming farewell with some silverware, he knew harm had him in a bodily and psychological bind and he put the staff first.

Marsh’s unselfishness is a tremendous instance for Green to observe – though you observed he’s going to fly the flag for WA within the Test area extra so than native degree.

Green is a prodigious expertise, averaging 37.64 with the bat and 34.30 with the ball and already sits comfortably within the Test area.

Blessed with an excellent temperament, his Labrador-like boundless vitality belies a grit and dedication – on present throughout his 114 in Ahmedabad.

He could make the ball transfer whether or not it’s in his hand, or whether or not it has simply related together with his bat, having been dispatched by way of covers for 4.

What is thrilling is he’s nonetheless simply tapping into his expertise and his Test profession has been regular, somewhat than spectacular.

You early 20s are sometimes spent figuring issues out, understanding what works and what doesn’t, and Green is not any exception as he continues to scratch the floor of what he’s able to.

The truth Green can already ship consistency in spades at such a comparatively younger age, when older contemporaries are way more maligned, speaks volumes about his potential and it looks like a matter of time earlier than he his sport goes to a different degree.

We have all had enjoyable on the Marsh for the previous decade or so – however now the trip has come to an finish, and it’s time for WA to hitch itself to the Green wagon.