Monday 22 June 2015 14:28, UK
Australia batsman Shaun Marsh is hoping to retain his place in the side for the Ashes series by impressing in the two warm-up matches.
Marsh opened the batting for Australia in their recent tour of West Indies after Chris Rogers withdrew from the series with concussion.
But the left-hander failed to get beyond 20 in his opening three knocks before hitting 69 in the second innings of the final Test.
It leaves his position for the Ashes opener against England in Cardiff on July 8 in doubt, with Rogers tipped to return to the line-up.
David Warner, Steve Smith, Michael Clarke and Shane Watson are also almost certain to occupy positions in the top six, so Marsh is expected to go head-to-head with Adam Voges for a starting berth.
Obviously we haven't won here for 14 years but we're playing a really good brand of cricket at the moment and we've come off a good series in the West Indies.
The two warm-up games against Kent, a four-day match which starts in Canterbury on Thursday, and Essex, another four-day game in Chelmsford from July 1, are therefore likely to be crucial to the pair’s chances of featuring in the first Test.
"There's going to be lots of stiff competition and I think it's important to go out there and get some runs in the warm-up games and put your case forward," said Marsh.
"I'm happy to bat anywhere in the top six for the Australian cricket team, but it's important for me to hopefully get a big couple of hundreds in the tour games.
'Aggression'
"We're really excited about what opportunities lie ahead for us. Obviously we haven't won here for 14 years but we're playing a really good brand of cricket at the moment and we've come off a good series in the West Indies.
"The boys have trained really well. We had a couple of days off when we first got here and we're looking forward to heading down to Kent in a few days' time and getting ourselves ready for that first Test on July 8."
Marsh has also echoed skipper Clarke’s comments that Australia will not overstep the mark in the Ashes series.
"I think it is really important to get out there and show your aggression and put your stamp on the game - that is the Australian way," he said.
"It is an Ashes series and I am sure there will be sledging from both teams, but I am also sure it will be in the spirit of the game.
"We have seen the English come out and play some really positive cricket over the last four months. It is going to be a really good brand of cricket from both teams.
"We're looking forward to getting out there and putting it right up to them."
