Oz selectors overlook Hughes in favour of Sheffield Shield's 34th highest scorer Marsh

The Argus review said it was critical that superior performance is rewarded and players must earn their positions in the time-honoured way of making runs, but this is not the case with Phil Hughes after the Australia selectors overlooked the prolific left-hander in favour of the Sheffield Shield's 34th highest run scorer this season, Shaun Marsh.

Marsh's selection ends any pretence of Cricket Australia implementing that part of the Argus Review, as Marsh has been recalled on the back of a first class average of 25 since he was dropped from the Test side two years ago.

Marsh's 248 Shield runs at 31 this season - ranking him 34th in the runs aggregate - compares with Hughes's 549 at 61, including a double century and two hundreds, News.com.au reports.

National selector John Inverarity said Marsh was chosen because he was in a good space rather than his ODI and Ryobi Cup output.

The selectors were no doubt impressed with Marsh's unbeaten 127 against Victoria at the WACA in November but he has not passed 50 in his eight other Shield innings.

Queried about Marsh's modest returns, Inverarity said that was all in the past.

Inverarity said the selectors were watching Hughes very closely, but that must be starting to sound hollow after the Redback was dropped from the Test side two Tests after making 81 not out against England, then was dumped from the one-day side as well.