Paine set for batting shift

Shaun Marsh's recall to the Australia one-day sqaud looks likely to see Tim Paine shifted from the opening role

Australia's caretaker one-day wicketkeeper Tim Paine looks set to move down the batting order following the selection of opener Shaun Marsh in the squad to tour India.

Paine - who replaced the injured Brad Haddin for Australia’s successful NatWest Series and ICC Champions Trophy campaigns - has been a solid contributor against the new ball, making 389 runs at 32.41 in his 14 one-day internationals.

But national selection panel chairman Andrew Hilditch believes Marsh, who seriously injured his hamstring in February, deserves another opportunity to open the batting for his country.

"Prior to that injury, he was a very key member of our side and performed extremely well in the opportunities he had - so he comes back into the squad," said Hilditch.

"I think if Shaun plays he will bat at the top of the order."

"Obviously Tim Paine has played that role really well and he's impressed in his limited opportunities, but I'd see Shaun coming back at the top of the order when he gets back into the side."

If Marsh returns he will open with Shane Watson - man of the match in the Trophy final, having also performed well in the Ashes.

Even so, Hilditch reports there is no guarantee Watson will continue to open in Tests - explaining Phil Hughes, dropped during the Ashes, is still in contention.

"Phil is a really talented young man,” said Hilditch.

“It was a terrible call to have to drop him during the Ashes series. Probably in any other series we would've been more supportive of a young player - but we just needed to make a change at that particular moment.

"It was a right decision but for him it was very disappointing. Our view is we still see him as part of our future, and we'll probably look to reintroduce him once he's back to form."

Australia are taking five fast bowlers - Brett Lee, Doug Bollinger, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle - to India.

"We think it's very important going into India because we will need to watch the workload of those fast bowlers, who return straight into a very full-on domestic season," added Hilditch.