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07-Nov-2016 08:30:00 GMT
Australia v South Africa, 2nd Test, Hobart

Injured Shaun Marsh out of Hobart test

Perth: Australia will need a new opening partnership when they look to turn around their fortunes in the second test against South Africa after Shaun Marsh was ruled out with a broken finger on Monday.

Cricket Australia announced after Australia had lost by 177 runs at the WACA that Marsh would require surgery on the digit and Joe Burns and Callum Ferguson would join the squad for the Hobart test, which starts on Saturday.

Burns will almost certainly replace Marsh in the opening partnership with David Warner, while Ferguson has been called up as potential cover for middle order batsman Adam Voges, who has suffered a hamstring injury.

Australia are perhaps fortunate that there is such a short gap between tests given the navel-gazing that is likely to follow their first defeat in the opening test of a home Summer for 28 years.

Captain Steve Smith had plenty of food for thought after Australia, having bowled out South Africa for 242 on day one, lost 10 wickets for 86 runs on day two to crash from 158 without loss to 244 all out.

Australia have now lost their last four tests after a 3-0 sweep in Sri Lanka in July and August and another defeat at home in Hobart is sure to trigger a full-blown crisis.


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