Shaun Marsh signs for Yorkshire, replaces countryman Travis Head

Australian batsman Shaun Marsh signed for Yorkshire and will play the English domestic T20 competition after Australia axed him for the Test series in Bangladesh. He will replace fellow left-hander Travis Head, who withdrew last minute as he was named in the Australian A four-day and one-day squads.

Marsh, who had a decent IPL scoring 264 runs in 9 games at 33 including 2 fifties, has an impeccable record in overall T20 cricket. In 152 games, the 33-yeard old has made 5147 runs at an average of 39.49. His strike rate, which is a shade south of 130, is also impressive. The attractive left-hander was dropped from the Test side following a poor series in India, where he could get just 151 runs in 8 innings at a below par average of 18.87.

Marsh will now play at Leeds, having previously played 5 T20 games for Glamorgan in 2012. He will join the squad on June 25 and will make his debut for the county side on July 7 against Nottinghamshire.

“It was obviously a bit of a blow to see Travis pull out, but to secure the services of Shaun is a massive coup for us,” Yorkshire director of cricket Martyn Moxon said.

“To get someone of his calibre, with his ability in both formats of the game – in T20 and potentially red ball cricket as well – and at such short notice is fantastic news for us.”

It was this very format which brought the southpaw int the limelight. A stellar opening season in the IPL back in 2008 opened the doors for his Australia selection. Since then Marsh has always been in and out of the Australian team having made his international debut in 2008.

“I’m very excited to be linking up with the club soon,” Marsh told yorkshireccc.com. “I’m looking forward to meeting up with the boys and getting started.

“I’ve only heard positive things about the Club from previous overseas players and can’t wait to be involved. The NatWest T20 Blast is a strong competition and I’m looking forward to contributing to some wins.

The NatWest Blast, since its inception in 2014, is a prestigious tournament with a lot of quality players around the world participating in it.  Northamptonshire are the current champions as they lifted the trophy after beating Durham by 4 wickets last year to lift their second title.

Speaking of the team, Marsh said that they had a good unit. He was also looking forward to playing at Headingley.

“I think we’ve got a really experienced team with a lot of talented players. Hopefully, we can get some momentum going early and put some good performances on the board.

“Having never played at Headingley, I’m really excited by the prospect of that too.”

Marsh hasn’t set the stage alight whenever he has played T20s for Australia. In 15 games, he has averaged just 18.21 with a best of 47*. His strike rate of 102.82 is much lower than his overall career strike rate.