Marsh not distracted by vacant VC role

Mitch Marsh is confident he'll recover from ankle surgery in time to captain Australia A in India, but says he is not spending time thinking about the vacant Test vice-captaincy role.

The two four-day matches in September will serve as a subcontinent warm-up for Australia's Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

Marsh underwent surgery last month to clean out bone spurs on his left ankle following the doomed tour of South Africa.

"I'm a couple of weeks away from running at the moment," he told reporters in Perth.

"If all things go to plan, I'll play the two four-day games in India ... hopefully (bowl) a couple of overs and then I'll just build in towards the Pakistan series."

Marsh has been floated as a likely national vice-captain following Steve Smith and David Warner's sackings.

The West Australian skipper insisted he had given little thought to the opportunity, instead focusing on recovering from his latest injury setback.

But he has relished the chance to lead his state over the past 12 months and feels he has grown as a result.

“I feel like I’ve grown into the role a lot more in the last 12 months being captain of Western Australia,” he said.

“(The vice-captaincy) is there, but it’s not something I’m focused on solely.

“I think with where we’re at as a team, the Australian cricket team, I want to become best cricketer and the best person I can be. 

“If that means in time I become vice-captain of Australia, so be it, but right now my focus is on being fit and playing good cricket.”

The Australia A squads for the one-day and four-day matches in India were unveiled on Wednesday, with Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb and Matt Renshaw given the chance to stake their claims for selection in the Pakistan series.

Travis Head has been named in the four-day squad and will also skipper Australia A's one-day squad in India.

The tour begins with a one-day tri-series also involving South Africa A, with the first match against India A on August 17.

Only two of the 28 players selected, Queensland duo Brendan Doggett and Marnus Labuschagne, are yet to feature for either Australia or Australia A.

"It's an extremely important tour, as we look for players who can adapt and find ways to excel in subcontinent conditions," selector Trevor Hohns said.

"With Australia's series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates fast approaching, it's a chance for some players to push for selection for that series, and for all players to gain experience in subcontinent conditions."

Australia A four-day squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Brendan Doggett, Peter Handscomb, Travis Head, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Michael Neser, Joel Paris, Kurtis Patterson, Matthew Renshaw, Mitch Swepson, Chris Tremain

Australia A one-day squad: Travis Head (c), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Peter Handscomb, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Jhye Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Mitch Swepson, Chris Tremain, Jack Wildermuth

Tour schedule

One-Day fixtures - Vijayawada

17 August v India A

19 August v South Africa A

23 August v India A

25 August v South Africa A

29 August – Tri-Series Final

Four-Day fixtures - Vizag

2 – 5 September v India A

8 – 11 September v India A