AUSTRALIAN Test great Mike Hussey has backed the selection of Shaun Marsh at No.6 for next week’s Gabba Test against England.

Chairman Trevor Hohns and his selection panel have come under fire for recalling the 34-year-old but Hussey maintains the Western Australia veteran deserves his spot in the XI.

“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,” Hussey said on the Unplayable Podcast. “And he is playing at his best at the moment. His body is good, so why wouldn’t you go for the best?”

Much of the consternation around Marsh’s selection surrounds the fact this is eighth recall to the Test side, with a combination of inconsistency and injury restricting him to him 23 Tests over six years.

Hussey believes it is foolish to hold that against him.

“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.”

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Despite his critics, Marsh has enjoyed a strong start to the summer. The left-hander dominated the domestic one-day season (412 at 82.40) and has passed 50 in three of his past six first-class innings. Earlier this month he scored a stylish 91 against a New South Wales attack boasting the services of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon.

Last week Justin Langer hailed him as being in the best form he has ever been in, and Hussey is adamant now is the perfect time for Marsh to re-enter the Test arena.

“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.”

Australia squad for first two Ashes Tests: David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (capt), Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird, Chadd Sayers.