Had given up hopes to be back in national side: Marsh

Guwahati, Nov 7 : Shaun Marsh's maiden century came just at the right time for Australia but the opener said he had almost given up hopes of a come back into the national side after the long injury lay-off.

Son of former Australian wicket-keeper Geoff, Marsh struck 112 in the visitors' thrilling win at Hyderabad and was well on his father's footsteps who scored his maiden century against India as well 23 years ago.a 23 years ago in Sydney.

Six months of rehabilitation after consecutive hamstring tears had Marsh wondering if he would ever be back into the Australian line-up.

''It felt like I was never going to get there when I was doing recovery with my hamstrings and all that,'' said Marsh, who tore his left hamstring against New Zealand in Perth in February and again against Pakistan in Dubai in April.

''It was a long six months when I did it again in Dubai and I knew it would be a lot of hard work.

''I have to continue now to make sure I don't get too far in front of myself as I know this game can bite you on the bum very quickly,'' he said.

Geoff Marsh's former opening partner David Boon is the Australian tour selector on duty in India, and he still visits the Marsh family home when in Perth.

''It was a day I will remember for a long time. It's a good feeling to know that Dad has scored a century for Australia and I have as well,'' added the 26-year-old.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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