Test future 'highly unlikely': Marsh

Veteran batsman Shaun Marsh has conceded his days wearing the Baggy Green could be over.

Marsh was dropped from Australia's Test team last summer after a barren series with the bat against world No.1 India and watched on as the nation's young batsmen posted centuries against Sri Lanka in the following series.

The 35-year-old starred against England in the 2017-18 Ashes on home soil but has failed to post triple figures in the five-day format since, which has him believing his Test days could be done.

"It is highly unlikely now with the guys coming in and performing how they did against Sri Lanka," Marsh told The Courier Mail when asked if he feels he will play another Test.  

"I had a crack at it. They gave me every opportunity to get it right over the last 12 months after the Ashes when I played really well.

"Unfortunately, it did not work out my but the guys who came in did well and probably deserved a crack at the (2019) Ashes."

Marsh scored a century on debut in 2011 in Sri Lanka but in the eight years that followed he played just 37 more Tests due to battles with form and injury.

At his best, there are few more aesthetically pleasing batsmen in the world to watch than Marsh but he concedes maintaining that level of excellence was one of the biggest challenges in his "roller-coaster" career.

"There was a lot of good stuff in among a lot of bad stuff but I just did not manage to find that consistency the good players have," said Marsh, who scored six Test centuries and 10 ducks.

"I just did not have that throughout my career.

"Look, I am still really proud of what I achieved.

"I played Tests for my country and played in some wonderful series wins.

"There were some lows there but some great highs I will cherish forever."

While he might have played his last Test, Marsh's international career continues.

The seasoned left-hander is part of Australia's 15-man World Cup squad aiming to defend the title they won on home soil in 2015.

Marsh edged out Victoria captain Peter Handscomb for the final batting spot in the squad to make his first World Cup squad after missing out in 2015.

"Yes, it was really tight," he said about the race between himself and Handscomb.

"I was really keen for the opportunity and probably four years ago I thought it would not come around but it has.

"I am very excited."

Australia will hold their first World Cup training session today (Saturday) ahead of their first warm-up match in Southampton on Wednesday.

2019 World Cup

Australia's squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

May 22: (warm-up) Australia v West Indies, Southampton

May 25: (warm-up) England v Australia, Southampton

May 27: (warm-up) Australia v Sri Lanka, Southampton

June 1: Afghanistan v Australia, Bristol (D/N)

June 6: Australia v West Indies, Trent Bridge

June 9: India v Australia, The Oval

June 12: Australia v Pakistan, Taunton

June 15: Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval

June 20: Australia v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge

June 25: England v Australia, Lord's

June 29: New Zealand v Australia, Lord's (D/N)

July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (D/N)

July 9: Semi-Final 1, Old Trafford

July 11: Semi-Final 2, Edgbaston

July 14: Final, Lord's

For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE