SHAUN Marsh is hanging on to a childhood dream of wearing the baggy green for Australia.
The future of the talented WA batsman has been a hot topic of discussion this Ashes series, with cricket commentators suggesting Marsh should be considered for a future Test spot.
WA coach Mickey Arthur has labelled Marsh the most talented batsman he has ever mentored and says he should have opened the batting for Australia in the Third Ashes Test in Perth. But the straight-talking Marsh plays the hype with a straight bat.
The 27-year-old left-hander said Test cricket would be a dream come true, but getting WA into the finals of the upcoming KFC Twenty20 Big Bash series was his No.1 priority.
"If I just keep working hard on my game and scoring as many runs as I can for WA in Shield cricket, then hopefully one day I can get to wear it (baggy green)," Marsh said.
He has performed with distinction at the top of the order for Australia in ODIs, but is also in career-best form for WA in the first-class arena, crunching 339 runs this summer at a princely 84.75.
In last year's Big Bash competition, his 108 not out off 58 balls against NSW was the highest score in the tournament. Yet Marsh's 2010-11 season has not wavered from his personal priority of performing for WA.
"All I'm worried about is playing well for WA that's been my sole focus and I know if I do that than other things will take care of themselves," he said.
And up-and-comer Tom Beaton, spinner Aaron Heal and Luke Pomersbach are all capable of match-winning performances.
Coach Arthur said the T20 competition would provide a new challenge for his squad.
"It's a new competition that has come exactly at the right time for us," he said.
WA's likely T20 squad: Marcus North (C), Adam Voges, Chris Gayle, Sajid Mahmood, Shaun Marsh, Aaron Heal, Luke Ronchi, Luke Pomersbach, Michael Hogan, David Bandy, Matthew Johnston, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Tom Beaton, Liam Davis, Brett Dorey.
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