Shaun Marsh retires from first-class cricket

Shaun Marsh retires: Marsh has from first-class cricket after 22 years of service for Western Australia at the Sheffield Shield level. And he was 38 Test matches for Australia.

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Marsh made his first-class debut at the age of 17

Marsh made his first-class debut at the age of 17 for WA in 2001. And he achieved a career-long ambition to win a Sheffield Shield title last season where he captained in the final in the absence of his brother Mitchell Marsh.

At 39, Shaun decided to play another season in 2022-23. But he has been plagued by injury and has only managed one Shield game this summer.

Marsh’s retirement is effective immediately

Having just returned to Perth club cricket after a fractured finger, Marsh’s retirement is effective immediately, meaning he won’t be part of WA’s bid to defend their title. They play Victoria at the WACA next week before hosting the final starting on March 23.

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Marsh told reporters

“This year, in particular, has been really hard,” Shaun told reporters. “It wasn’t the way I planned it after winning the Shield final last year.

“I had great expectations of myself to win another Shield but through injuries it hasn’t worked out how I wanted it to.”

Marsh finishes as WA’s third-highest run-scorer in the Shield

Shaun finishes WA’s third-highest run-scorer in the Shield, tallying 8347 runs including 20 centuries. His 122 matches are the second-most in WA’s history behind former captain Tom Moody.

But at a training session on Tuesday, he realized his indefatigable first-class career was over.

“I batted for about 20 minutes and the quicks came over…I said to V [WA coach Adam Voges] that I’m done and want to do my weights [session],” Marsh said. “He probably did half my weights [session]. I walked out and thought, ‘that’s not me’. Over the last 24 hours, it hit home that my time is done.

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Marsh paid special tribute to his father Geoff Marsh

Marsh paid special tribute to his father Geoff Marsh, a former Test opener and coach for Australia.

“That’s where I found the love of the game as a young kid when I was watching dad play,” he said. “From a young age, all I wanted to do was be like him and he’s had a massive impact on my career.”

Marsh, who turns 40 in July, is set to continue in the BBL. He has one season left on his deal with Melbourne Renegades.