Langer backs 'hungry' Marsh for recall

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Western Australia coach Justin Langer hopes he won't see much of Shaun Marsh this summer.

Marsh looms as a critical part of WA's bid to break their 16-year Sheffield Shield title drought this season.

The 31-year-old has been in sizzling touch since making a return from elbow surgery earlier this month, with the nine-Test batsman making 87 for club side Fremantle before compiling an unbeaten 156 for WA's second XI team.

The elegant left-hander will be back in action this week when he lines up in the Warriors' season-opening Shield clash with Tasmania at the WACA Ground, starting Friday.

Langer knows a fit-and-firing Marsh would make WA a force to be reckoned with this summer.

But he would love nothing more than to see Marsh earn an international recall, even if it means he misses a large chunk of the Shield season.

"One of the aims of our program is to have as many guys playing for Australia as possible," Langer said on Thursday.

"I know they're very keen to select him. If he can make a few runs, hopefully the opportunity can come for him.

"He's in unbelievable shape and he's so hungry to do well. We all knew it was going to be a big year for him."

WA are brimming with confidence following their One-Day Cup triumph, but Langer is desperate for his team to taste Shield glory after falling to NSW in last season's final.

"For me as a coach and a cricket tragic and purist, Sheffield Shield is the main trophy for us," Langer said.

"Besides the 2004 Indian tour with the Australian side, and a few Ashes series, winning my first Sheffield Shield title (in 1991-92) was probably the highlight of my career."

SQUADS

Western Australia
Adam Voges (c), Shaun Marsh, Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Marcus Harris, Michael Hogan, Michael Klinger, Simon Mackin, Nathan Rimmington, Sam Whiteman (12th man to be named).

Tasmania
George Bailey (c), Ed Cowan, Xavier Doherty, Andrew Fekete, Evan Gulbis, Hamish Kingston, Dominic Michael, Tim Paine, Sam Rainbird, Jordan Silk, Timm van der Gugten, Beau Webster, Jon Wells (one to be omitted, 12th man to be named).