That's the opinion of former England captain Michael Vaughan, who says Australia need to give Marsh an extended run in the Test side to give the allrounder a chance to prove himself.

Marsh was surprisingly dropped for the first Test against India in Adelaide, and is set to be overlooked for the second Test in Perth.

It's in stark contrast to last summer, when Marsh cracked two centuries in three Tests against England to help guide Australia to Ashes glory.

Vaughan was left surprised by Marsh's recent axing, and feels Australia need to invest more time in the 27-year-old.

"I do think Australia have to find a way of using Mitch Marsh on a more consistent basis, or at least find out about him over a long period of time," Vaughan said.

"From what I can see he's been in and out of the side. It's very difficult for any player to get consistency, to get confidence.

"I look ahead to a few months' time in English conditions, at someone like Mitchell Marsh and James Pattinson.

"These kind of guys are going to be the kind of cricketers that Australia will need in their team."

Pattinson has been plagued by back injuries throughout his career, but the paceman is back playing again and has set his sights on an Ashes return.

But it is in the batting department where Australia need the most reinforcements, with the returns of Steve Smith and David Warner set to be a huge boost.

And if Marsh can rediscover the form that saw him put England to the sword last summer, Australia will fancy their chances of recording their first Ashes series triumph in England since 2001.

Australia are 1-0 down in the current series against India but Vaughan was impressed by the team's fighting spirit in the 31-run loss in Adelaide.

"I saw enough in that last day and throughout the Test match (to suggest) that there's something happening.

"It's not going to suddenly appear overnight. It's not going to be like the Warney era when you can go and blow teams away."

Australian Associated Press