NAGPUR: Veteran left-handed batsman Shaun Marsh is set to be recalled as Australia look forward to overcome India in the second One-day International here on Tuesday.

Marsh was not considered for the first match in Hyderabad, which India won by six wickets, due to a late arrival to the subcontinent having stayed at home for the birth of his second child and concerns about his troublesome hamstrings.

Last Friday, skipper Aaron Finch confirmed Marsh would slot back into the No.3 when fit and available and his return now looks likely for Tuesday’s clash.

The veteran’s recall would see a reshuffle to the batting order, with game-one first-drop Marcus Stoinis likely to slide down the order, possibly at the expense of rookie Ashton Turner who made his ODI debut in Hyderabad.

Marsh, 35, averages 47.83 and has three centuries in 13 innings batting at No.3 as the standout batter in Australia’s ODI top order over the past 12 months.

While Marsh has been flying in the 50-over format, his captain Aaron Finch has been struggling for runs.

Finch concedes he is out of form and spent a one-on-one net session with head coach Justin Langer before training at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium on Monday.

Finch has the backing of Langer and every squad member that has spoken publicly during his lean patch, with leg-spinner Adam Zampa the latest to predict runs are just around the corner for the skipper.

“In terms of morale he’s been unbelievable,” Zampa said. “He hasn’t captained a lot for Australia but he’s been doing a really good job to keep himself really good for the team.

“Aaron’s been great and he’s a world-class player. I think he’s got the third or fourth most hundreds in one-day cricket for Australia.

“We’ve seen with guys like Virat [Kohli], [MS] Dhoni at the end of the day their experience has probably been the difference between us in Australia (for the three-match Gillette ODI Series) and the first game here.

“So Finchy’s experience is going to be pivotal for us moving forward. We know he’s going to turn it around.”

With five matches in just 11 days, the five-strong pace attack is expected to be rotated through the starting XI, with seamers Jhye Richardson and Andrew Tye the two to miss out in the opening game.

Published in Dawn, March 5th, 2019