The BBL06 leading runscorer was sidelined on Sunday for the state’s away battle with Queensland starting on Wednesday, after yielding just 147 at an average 14.70 in the first five matches this season. Jake Hancock, who has amassed 1200 club and Futures League runs for the year, is his replacement.

“It was a very hard decision, he hasn’t obviously made the runs we would have liked… he played the Futures League game (last week) and unfortunately made a duck,” Marsh said on Monday.

“They (BBL and Sheffield Shield) are two different forms of the game and I think the decision we’ve made around Hancock is undeniable and he deserves to play. He (Dunk) can be a streaky player, but we want to see him be more consistent.

“He will go back to club cricket and make some runs I’m sure of that and he will make some runs in the Futures League and get his name back to top of the queue.” Tasmania are placed fifth on the Shield table with one win, two losses and two draws, but sit one victory outside the top three.

While admitting George Bailey should be on Australian ODI duty in New Zealand, Marsh said the Tigers’ batting would be strengthened by the captain and Alex Doolan’s return.

He said Jackson Bird’s absence would require a collective bowling effort and that Alex Perrin, if picked in the final XI, would be an asset.

“He bustles in and he hits a length, hits the seam, probably nips the ball back into the right handers and has been really economical and his strike rate has been very good as well,” Marsh said.

“It is ever evolving with the squad through form, fitness, Australian duties. We looked at the end of the Futures League game last week and this is the best team we think can take on Queensland.”

Following Cricket Tasmania’s decision not to renew Hobart Hurricanes coach Damien Wright’s contract, Marsh said there was always pressure to perform.

He also fended off queries as to why Tim Paine was yet to be selected for the red ball format, despite making a century against the South Australian under-23s.

“Jake Doran has done a fantastic job, he has made 239 runs and taken 19 dismissals throughout the first half of the season,” Marsh said. “We’ve only had one keeper in our history score over 500 runs and 30 dismissals in a season – he is well on his way to that… and that’s what is keeping Tim out at the moment.”