Ashes 2017/18: 5 players who could have been picked ahead of Shaun Marsh

The selection of Shaun Marsh, who made a comeback into the side for the eighth time, has certainly divided opinion among critics and fans alike. While some, like former Australian batsman Mike Hussey, feel that he is one the six best batsmen in Australia, other fans haven't taken too kindly to seeing him getting another chance to represent Australia.

All things considered, there is no doubt that the selection of Marsh is far from a clear-cut one especially considering the wealth of options that the Australian selectors had to choose from. And while the southpaw eventually got the nod, there were better players, who were in a rich vein of form, who could have taken his place.

Here are 5 players who could have been picked ahead of Shaun Marsh:

Matthew Renshaw

Arguably the biggest surprise from the Ashes squad has to be the omission of Matthew Renshaw. The 21-year-old left-hander made a bright start to his international career and while his form has dipped, he had the backing of opening partner David Warner and offie Nathan Lyon among others.

While he didn't have the greatest time in the first three rounds of this year's Sheffield Shield, his last Test match in Australia was the one in which he scored his career-best Test score, against Pakistan. Considering that he was developing an understanding with David Warner, Renshaw can certainly count himself unlucky to not have made the cut.

His inclusion could have also meant that either Cameron Bancroft or Peter Handscomb could have been handed the gloves and a genuine all-rounder could have been selected instead of recalling Tim Paine, who hasn't played a Test in seven years to keep.

Mitchell Marsh

Marsh captained WA to victory in the JLT One-Day Cup

While the Marsh household might be rejoicing at the return of Shaun to the Australian Test side, one man who probably won't be as pleased is Mitchell, who had a great opportunity to make the side and fill the void of the No.6 spot.

While the all-rounder hasn't had the greatest run in the ongoing edition of the Sheffield Shield, he was the captain of Western Australia, who claimed the JLT One-Day Cup last month. In the game against South Australia, which was the last one before the squad was announced, he scored a 95 and along with Bancroft, helped set the perfect platform in the first innings.

Considering that the current Australian squad doesn't have a single all-rounder in its ranks, Mitchell Marsh can consider himself very unlucky to not have made the cut. Especially when both Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc have had injury concerns and the inclusion of the 26-year-old could have eased their workload as well.

Callum Ferguson

Ferguson continues to be amongst the runs

The 32-year-old batsman has played just one Test for Australia and considering the vacancy at the No.6 spot, Callum Ferguson would have thought his chances of adding to his solitary Test appearance in 2016 might have been high. Especially considering the fact that he is the fourth-leading run-getter in the Sheffield Shield so far this season with 343 runs at an average of almost 70 with a century and a fifty to his name.

Ferguson is also a seasoned campaigner in the first-class circuit, having played over 100 matches and scored nearly 7,500 runs at an average of almost 40 with 17 centuries and 38 half-centuries.

However, despite a bright start to the season for South Australia, he has once again been overlooked in favor of Marsh, who has an inferior record and is definitely not in the greatest run of form.

Daniel Hughes

Hughes has been in sublime form for New South Wales

With Australia looking for options in the batting line-up, they needed players who were in form and could also fit in seamlessly. New South Wales' Daniel Hughes ticked all the boxes but still failed to get the nod from the selectors.

Two centuries and two fifties from six matches in the JLT One-Day Cup for New South Wales certainly gave the selectors something to think about ahead of the Shield season. The 28-year-old merely carried on that form into the Sheffield Shield, where he has scored 211 runs at an average of over 70 with two fifties in the three games that he has played this season.

If form was the only criteria, then no one else has made a better start to the domestic season than Daniel Hughes and the 28-year-old batsman will be bemoaning his bad luck as he failed to earn his maiden call-up.

Jake Weatherald

Weatherald has been consistent across formats this season

In the same match that Western Australia batsman Cameron Bancroft scored an unbeaten double century, which eventually helped him seal his spot in the Ashes, Jake Weatherald scored 152 and 143 at the WACA to help South Australia come out on top despite Bancroft's 224*. His twin hundreds were his first two of the season and he remains the only batsman to have scored two centuries so far this season.

That helped the 23-year-old left-hander carry his impressive form from the JLT One-Day Cup where he scored two centuries and a fifty to the Sheffield Shield, where he is the second leading run-getter this season with 419 runs at an average of almost 70. The fact that he can also bowl some handy leg-spin makes him an all-round option that Australia could have opted for in the middle-order.

However, if he keeps up his good form, there is little doubt that he will be at the top of the selectors' minds as they sit down and select the squad for the last three Tests.