Marsh had a minor strain of his hamstring in the Matador Cup just over a week ago and it initially appeared he would be sidelined for the opening Test of the summer. But he batted in the nets and completed running drills on Sunday, and was due to be put through a fitness test to earn selection in the Sheffield Shield clash against South Australia at the WACA, beginning on Tuesday.

Marsh was named in the Warriors' squad on Monday and needs to play in the opening Shield clash to remain in contention for Test selection, with the series opener against the Proteas at the WACA beginning on Thursday week. The Test squad will be unveiled on Friday. Marsh, 33, requires clearance by Cricket Australia to take his spot in the Shield match.

He has centuries in his past two Tests, against the West Indies in Hobart in December, and against Sri Lanka in Colombo in August, and has been tipped to retain his spot at the top of the order. Should he fail to prove his fitness, either Joe Burns, dropped for Australia's last Test in Sri Lanka, or Marsh's WA teammate Cameron Bancroft will partner David Warner at the top of the order. Bancroft, who is also a versatile fieldsman, has earned the praise of Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh already this summer.

Queenslander Burns will also be keen to impress in the day-night Shield clash against NSW at the Gabba.

A home Perth Test would give Marsh the ideal platform to forge a consistent spot in the team although, regardless of his form, he is seen as a key player in Australia's quest to win in India from February because he has the soft hands and footwork needed to combat spin.

While his inconsistency has been a source of frustration, since February 2014 he has boasted a Test batting average of 47.30, scoring 946 runs, including three centuries, in 21 innings. This compares to his career average of 40.22 in 18 Tests.

Marsh's younger brother Mitch is set to be handed the all-rounder's role for Perth but is in need of a breakthrough knock with the bat to rubber-stamp his spot.

He has averaged 24 in 18 Tests but has passed 50 only twice and is yet to reach three figures. His attacking demeanour was the right move in Sri Lanka but he could not capitalise on a string of solid starts, including a 53 in the final Test.

Teammate Adam Voges said Mitch Marsh had been playing in the right manner.

"I think that's how he needs to play – he needs to be attacking and take the game to the bowlers and put a bit of pressure back onto the bowling attack. He is well aware of that and he is working hard to make sure he is in a good place," Voges said.

"He plays the Shield game on Tuesday so he'll be looking for a good innings against South Australia. Hopefully, that can kick-start a good summer for him."

Voges said it was only a matter of time before Marsh delivered a defining innings on the Test stage.

"He just needs that breakthrough innings to give himself that belief and that confidence that he can perform at Test level. I think his performances in the one-day team have been pretty strong for about 12 months, particularly with the bat. He just has to take that confidence into Test cricket," he said.

"He has got all the attributes and ability to be a Test all-rounder. I think he will be excellent with the ball and he will get his opportunity during the summer with the bat. Hopefully, he can start the summer really strongly because if he is performing with bat and ball, that gives us a great opportunity to win Test matches."