Katich, controversially omitted from the list of 25 contracted players by Cricket Australia last week, had forged a solid opening combination with Shane Watson.
Marsh, the 27-year-old son of former test opener and Australia coach Geoff Marsh, regained his central contract and is one of the contenders to fill the void.
Despite opening the innings in many of his 33 limited-overs internationals, Marsh concedes 22-year-old New South Wales opener Phil Hughes is probably the most likely candidate as test opener.
Hughes “played in the last test match in the Ashes, so I’m sure he will get another crack,” Marsh said Tuesday.
“But if they wanted me to open, I’m ready.
“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.” Australia has plenty of test cricket coming up, with away series against Sri Lanka and South Africa starting in August before home series against New Zealand and India in December and January.
