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Rogers wants Marsh to retain Test spot

Shaun Marsh should play in the first Test of the summer, according to former Test opener Chris Rogers

Former Australia opener Chris Rogers believes Shaun Marsh deserves to hold his place in the side for the opening Test of the summer against South Africa.

Marsh has been unable to cement his place in Australia’s first choice XI in recent years, but has performed admirably with centuries in his last two Test matches for his country.

Marsh's most recent Test century was in Australia's last Test match, where he came into the side to replace Joe Burns at the top of the order and helped himself to a stylish 130 against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

WATCH: Marsh fires for Australia in Colombo

Rogers thinks Marsh should be rewarded for his good form and open alongside David Warner when the first Test of the summer commences in Perth next month.

"I can't see how you can drop Shaun. As good as Joe was last year, I think you have to show some form of consistency in your selection, and Shaun has got hundreds in his last two Test matches. It would be pretty devastating to have put those performances on and not be selected," Rogers told Fairfax media.

"I think he is in the box seat. But the thing about Joe, they know what he is capable of, and it's not like he is going back to the start of the queue. He would be almost the next one in if he wasn't picked. I am a big fan of Joe's, but I would think even he would probably understand...if it was the other way around, I am sure Joe would feel like he deserves a spot as well."

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Marsh has only played 18 Test matches for his country, but Rogers thinks the 33-year-old will continue to add to that tally as he establishes himself in the Australian side.

"His maturity may come later, as it has with a few of us. There is nothing to see why he can't make this a winner. He certainly has the skills," he said.

Rogers expects Usman Khawaja to win a recall to the Australia team after he was dropped for the final two Tests in Sri Lanka, with the 39-year-old predicting the left-hander to bat at number three against South Africa.

"The way he (Khawaja) played last year, he looked world class," Rogers said. 

WATCH: Khawaja makes crucial Test ton

"Obviously there were a couple of issues with spin (in Sri Lanka). He wasn't on his own – there were a few of us that had that.

"He would have learnt, too. I think here in Australia he is one of the best we have got."

Australia enters the summer of cricket on the back of a disappointing Test series whitewash in Sri Lanka, but Rogers is predicting a much improved performance against South Africa as the team continues to gel.

"There are a lot of guys that haven't played a lot of Test matches. I think after the last season there was a lot of expectation that the players that had come in were going to be the finished article, but they still have a long way in their own development," he said.

"The hardest thing about international cricket is being consistent and that is probably one of the lessons you learn pretty hard straight away. They are going to get better as guys play more Test matches and more games together. There is still a fair bit to come. I think they'll be much better over here and (Mitchell) Starc hopefully is firing and Josh coming back in will make a big difference to what we have seen over the last month or so.

"It will be improved performances, definitely in Australia, but there is still a lot of questions and a lot of work to be done, and I think the guys even in the side would agree with that."