Marsh keen to open up

Shaun Marsh is hoping that Simon Katich's recent dropping from the Australia squad will give him a new chance to shine.

Australia batsman wants to make step up to Test level

Shaun Marsh is hoping that Simon Katich's recent omission from the Australia squad will open the way for him to become an established Test opener. Veteran left-hander Katich, who has opened the batting alongside Shane Watson in recent years, was last week dropped from the list of 25 players given central contracts by Cricket Australia. Marsh has never played in a Test match but is one of the contenders to fill the gap left by Katich after regaining his own central contract. Phillip Hughes is viewed as the most likely replacement after playing in the last three matches of the Ashes series against England at the turn of the year. But Marsh - the son of former Australia opener Geoff Marsh - says he is ready to step up and make a mark at Test level if he is called on. "(Hughes) played in the last Test match in the Ashes, so I'm sure he will get another crack. But if they wanted me to open, I'm ready," he said. "Ever since I was a little boy, I've always wanted to follow in my dad's footsteps and wear the baggy green - there are some opportunities coming up but we'll just have to see which way they go." Australian are next in Test action during a three-match series in Sri Lanka in August and September before hosting home series against New Zealand and India in the winter.