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Marsh not done with yet: Hohns

Shaun Marsh's Test career can be revived ahead of the Ashes, Cricket Australia chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns says

National Selector Trevor Hohns says Shaun Marsh's Test career is not done yet after the veteran was dropped for the upcoming Domain Test series against Sri Lanka.

Marsh was one of three players axed from the squad that drew with India in the fourth Test at the SCG this week, with younger brother Mitch and Victoria captain Peter Handscomb also left out.

At 35 and having averaged 18 in 10 Tests over the past 12 months, the omission of Marsh from the 13-player squad to face Sri Lanka might have signalled the end of his 38-Test career.

But Hohns says Marsh has a chance to work his way back into the Test XI through weight of runs with an Ashes series in England on the horizon.

Hohns speaks on SL Test selections

"Shaun hasn’t, certainly, done what we’d like him to have done over the last period and I am sure he would say the same thing," Hohns said in Sydney today.

"As far as the Ashes go that’s a long way off, he now has the opportunity in one-day cricket to get some form back and we’ll worry about that when the time comes.

"But the door is certainly not closed."

Marsh has struggled for consistency since the last Ashes Test in Sydney 12 months ago.

He made 156 in that match but has since scored just one half-century in 19 innings.

His spot was in the side became the subject of pundit and public debate after the two-Test series against Pakistan in the UAE, where in four innings he managed just 14 runs in the 1-0 series loss.

But back on home soil he demanded to be retained with 443 runs in three JLT Sheffield Shield matches for Western Australia, including a match-winning 163no against South Australia.

That form did not transfer into the Test arena against India.

Marsh, up against a well-drilled Indian bowling attack, averaged 26 with a top score of 60.

Ponting names his Ashes batting locks

Included in the Test squad to face Sri Lanka in Brisbane and Hobart are Queenslanders Matt Renshaw and Joe Burns and exciting young talent Will Pucovski.

Hohns said bolstering the top order was one of the priorities for selectors following the historic loss to India.

"We’re looking now after the Indian series to shore up our top order, as JL (head coach Justin Langer) points out that’s the engine room. We need that to be strong," Hohns said.

"Joe Burns has a record in Test cricket, he’s scored hundreds and has been in good form leading up to when the Big Bash started.

"Matt Renshaw on the other hand is very, very highly-regarded young player, he’s scored a lot of runs in England when he went over there and played County cricket.

"With the Ashes in mind it's probably time now to get him back and around the group."

Domain Test Series v Sri Lanka

Australia: Tim Paine (c/wk), Josh Hazlewood (vc), Joe Burns, Pat Cummins, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Will Pucovski, Matt Renshaw, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle

Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (c), Dimuth Karunaratne, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya de Silva, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Kusal Perera, Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha

CA XI: Joe Burns (c), Kurtis Patterson (vc), Scott Boland, Jake Doran (wk), Jon Holland, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Will Pucovski, Jason Sangha, Matt Renshaw, Chris Tremain

Jan 17-19: Tour match, CA XI v SL, Hobart (D/N)

Jan 24-28: First Test, Gabba (D/N)

Feb 1-5: Second Test, Canberra