Johnson backs teammate Shaun Marsh to revive Test career

Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson has endorsed state teammate Shaun Marsh to produce a Test revival after receiving a call-up for next month's South Africa tour.

Australian selectors overlooked Phil Hughes in favour of the Sheffield Shield's 34th highest run scorer this season, Shaun Marsh.

Marsh will be looking to replicate Johnson's comeback with bat after a two-year stint in the Test wilderness.

Johnson said he is really proud of Marsh, and added that he's one of the best batsmen in Australia.

He said he will talk to Marsh and keep him going in the right direction, and hopefully he can score some runs over there.

Marsh had said he couldn't quite believe the news that he had been included in Australia's 15-man Test squad to tour South Africa next month.

The 30-year-old was given news of his selection by chief national selector John Inverarity during a phone conversation on Saturday night.

Marsh averages 31 in the Sheffield Shield this season, below both Phil Hughes and George Bailey, the unfortunate batsmen left out of the squad.

His last Test series was against India in 2011-12 where he made scores of 0, 3, 0, 11, 3 and 0.