Marsh century poses new selection puzzle

Shaun Marsh's third Test century has given national selectors an almighty dilemma ahead of the anticipated return of Usman Khawaja for the Boxing Day Test.

Marsh replaced Khawaja in Australia's middle order last month after the stylish left-hander suffered a hamstring injury in Perth, having posted centuries in the first two Tests against New Zealand.

The Western Australian would have been the prime candidate to drop out of the side again when Khawaja regained his fitness, but his unbeaten 139 on the opening day of the first Test against the West Indies, and his crucial 49 in a tense run chase last month in Adelaide, could make it difficult for selectors to leave him out for the second Test in a fortnight.

WATCH: Marsh guides Australia's run chase against NZ

If Khawaja successfully proves his fitness with the Sydney Thunder in the KFC Big Bash League, former Test allrounder Tom Moody says opener and Queensland teammate Joe Burns is now under pressure.

"I love that (Marsh) has put it back on the selectors now," Moody told cricket.com.au's post-game show Stumps.

"I think Khawaja's a definite; he has to walk back into the side.

"He's got to prove his fitness first, but I think it's put pressure on Burns now.

"Burns had a very good first Test in Brisbane against New Zealand, (but) he's been quiet since. There's been a lot of talk that there's a few technical areas of his game that need improving.

"I'm just wondering whether we can see Burns sliding out and Marsh staying in."

The very notion that Burns may be in danger is a strong endorsement of the form of Australia's batsmen this season; the Queenslander posted his maiden Test century a little over a month ago and is averaging 43 for the summer.

WATCH: Burns posts his maiden Test century

But with veteran Adam Voges joining Marsh with a century on Thursday – his second of the summer – and the leadership duo of Steve Smith and David Warner in no danger, vacant positions in Australia's top five are thin on the ground.

Marsh's younger brother Mitchell has been short of runs batting at No.6 this summer, but has added plenty of value with the ball and coach Darren Lehmann's oft-stated desire to include a fifth bowling option seemingly prevents an allrounder from slipping out of the side.

Quick Single: Marsh, Voges delight in shared joy

The elder Marsh brother said he never felt like he was simply warming a spot for Khawaja.

"Not really, I have tried to enjoy it," he said after day one in Hobart.

"I have not worried about that sort of stuff. It was nice to get a hundred. We will see what happens.

"(But) I definitely feel comfortable at this level. I just got to keep working on my consistency."

WATCH: Voges flays Windies with second ton of the summer

While the majority of Marsh's 17 Tests have come in the middle order, he opened with Warner in two matches earlier this year and has plenty of experience opening the batting.

When asked about the prospect of opening in a reshuffled Test order, Marsh said: "I have enjoyed batting at five for Australia over the summer – I feel comfortable there."

Speaking this week, Khawaja said he was confident his hamstring troubles would be cleared up in time for the traditional MCG Test.

Quick Single: Khawaja reveals one-day ambition

And the left-hander was unfazed by the prospect of proving his fitness in Twenty20 cricket, with the Sheffield Shield on a two-month hiatus.

"From what I've been told everyone is happy with that. It's still cricket," he said.

"It's not so much the lower intensity stuff that's going to get a hammy, it's the higher intensity stuff — so actually pushing it in the BBL will probably be a bit harder in some respects.

"It's a bit more of a test than it would be coming back in the four day game in some respects.

"Obviously it would have been ideal if I'd come back in red ball stuff, but that's just how the schedule is at the moment. It's what you have to do in the new age."