Cowan awaits Marsh fitness for India Test

Robert Smith

In-form newcomer Ed Cowan said Wednesday he will be fully prepared if Shaun Marsh fails to make Australia's first Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground next week.

Cowan was one of three additions to a 13-man Australian squad announced on Wednesday for the Boxing Day blockbuster with India after batsmen Phillip Hughes and Usman Khawaja were dumped.

Marsh has only played three Tests but has back trouble from the recent South Africa tour and is fighting to take his place in the first of four Tests.

Selectors named Marsh, Cowan and Ben Hilfenhaus along with all-rounder Dan Christian in their extended squad, but there was no place for injured allrounder Shane Watson and fast bowler Ryan Harris.

[Uncertainty]

Chief selector John Inverarity said the size of the squad was due to the continuing uncertainty about the fitness of Marsh.

But Cowan, who has presented undeniable selection claims after his fourth century in his past four games, wants to be as well prepared as possible should the call come to make his Test debut at the age of 29.

"You would be silly to prepare expecting not to play," Cowan said in Canberra after the Chairman's XI's drawn match with India.

"I've got no idea how Shaun's back is. I'll assume Shaun will be fit and then it's down to the balance of the side. AFP