Shane Watson backs "incredibly talented" Shaun Marsh

Shaun Marsh is yet to make a Test ton in Australia

Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has complete confidence that Shaun Marsh, who has been picked for the third Test against New Zealand, will come good, reports cricket.com.au.

Marsh, who was dropped from the Australian squad following their Ashes loss, makes a comeback to the side due to Usman Khawaja’s hamstring injury in the second Test at the WACA.

While there have been question marks over why Marsh, who only averages 33 in Tests, was chosen ahead of worthy replacements such as Michael Klinger or Glenn Maxwell, Watson believes that Marsh has what it takes to succeed.

"I have and everyone has seen him play well and when he is at his best he is as good as there is in the world," Watson said.

"I would have hated for Shaun as a guy, because he is a lovely guy and he is incredibly talented not to get another chance after coming in for that fourth Test in those incredibly challenging conditions. I hope he gets a chance to show everyone again how good he is.”

The 32-year-old’s last Test for the Aussies was their innings defeat to England in the fourth Test at Trent Bridge, where he scored 0 and 2. Although he was dropped for the final Ashes Test and hasn’t enjoyed the greatest of starts to the Sheffield Shield season, Watson believes that Marsh has plenty to offer.

"Those conditions (at Trent Bridge) were as tough as you will ever get for a batsmen in foreign conditions and Stuart Broad bowled incredibly well in those conditions," Watson said.

"It is as tough as it gets coming in at four the conditions they way they were. You can't just make a decision on someone on how they perform in those conditions. Shaun still has a lot of great cricket in front of him.”

Watson, who recently said that he wants to has return to Australia’s limited-overs side, following his retirement from Tests, wasn’t the only Australian to back Marsh.

Australian coach Darren Lehmann told ESPN Cricinfo: “"He was very close in the first Test selection. It was touch and go with Uzzy and Shaun Marsh. And he played really well for us last summer, he got 99 in Melbourne and a got a couple of 50s in Sydney.

“We thought he played quite well in the West Indies when he got his chance as well. He gets another chance to have a crack at Test cricket. He got some runs in Melbourne, which was pleasing to see. He gets first crack."

Not every Australian was vocal in their support for the 32-year-old as Shane Warne suggested that the third Test in Adelaide might well be the last chance for Marsh to prove himself in the longer format of the game.

"This is it for Shaun Marsh. He's got to grab this opportunity," Warne told AAP. "We know what talent he's got, but unfortunately he hasn't quite been able to deliver consistently. He’s a really great player so I hope he can deliver in this Test match.”