Test great backs Marsh Ashes recall

Champion batsman Mike Hussey has backed the selection of veteran Shaun Marsh in Australia's Magellan Ashes squad despite the backlash on social media about his inclusion.

Marsh was today named as part of Australia's 13-man squad for the first two Tests of the Ashes, along with uncapped Western Australia teammate Cameron Bancroft and recalled gloveman Tim Paine, who has spent seven years in the Test wilderness.

While Paine’s selection has raised a plethora of eyebrows, the decision by the National Selection Panel to hand Marsh an eighth opportunity in the Baggy Green has outraged fans on social media.

Marsh’s injury history, his age (34) and number of chances in the Test team have all been pointed to, but Hussey says the seasoned campaigner is batting better than ever and deserves his place in the starting XI at the Gabba next Thursday.

"I can see why there's all the talk about it, but at the end of the day he's a class player and a quality player," Hussey said on the special edition of The Unplayable Podcast.

"If you any ask any first-class player around the country if Shaun Marsh is playing at his best, he's in the best six batsmen in the country.

"And he is playing at his best at the moment. His body is good, so why wouldn't you go for the best?

"There's no point saying we don't want to pick him because we're worried he might get injured. Well, he might not.

"We're worried he's had seven chances in the past. That doesn't mean he's not going to take his chance this time.

"He's playing well, he is one of Australia's best six batsmen, so let's get him in there.

"I personally actually think it's a good selection and I also think he's at a stage in his career … I know it's such a huge series, but I think he knows his game so much better now. He'll be comfortable in his own skin, he'll have the experience to be able to handle the situation a lot better than perhaps he has done in the past.

"For all the Australian fans out there, we all hope he can take his chance on this occasion."

Marsh is expected to bat at the pivotal No.6 position that had generated the most discussion and intrigue up to the squad announcement this morning.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believed WA allrounder Hilton Cartwright was certain to be picked, while incumbent No.6 Glenn Maxwell was another player strongly fancied for the role.

But the selectors settled on Marsh, whose solid form and experience at the top level – he's played 23 Tests since debuting in 2011 – got him the nod over his younger contenders, according to Hussey.

"We can argue until the cows come home about who that best No.6 batsman is," Hussey said.

"Is it Cartwright, is it Maxwell, is it Shaun Marsh - and perhaps the selectors have gone on current form.

"Shaun Marsh in the one-day cup had been sensational and in the JLT Sheffield Shield has looked really good.

"He's got three half-centuries so far, a good (91) against that Test attack (of Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins and Lyon) for NSW.

"He's at a stage in his career where he’s probably figured his game out, so having that experience in a huge series like an Ashes probably counted for him and helped him in his selection."

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird, Chadd Sayers.

England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets

ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Buy tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets

Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28. Join the ACF

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets

T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21