Aussie Ashes selection punts pay off

They were called idiots. Morons. Confused.

But Australia's cricket selectors are now looking like geniuses.

Every punt has paid off - even the maligned Marsh brothers.

Mitchell Marsh's triumphant return to Test cricket is the latest selection gamble to pay handsome dividends.

His return to Australia's side for the third Test against England in Perth was questioned.

But Marsh has provided an emphatic answer, making his first Test century to silence his critics.

His ton follows his brother Shaun also justifying his controversial recall to Test ranks.

On his eighth coming as a Test batsman, Shaun Marsh is averaging almost 75 this Ashes series.

Then there's Tim Paine, summoned to the wicketkeeping job despite not 'keeping for his state.

Paine has performed admirably with the gloves.

And he has also contributed with the bat, most noticeably with a counter-punching half-century in Australia's second Test win in Adelaide.

And fresh opener Cameron Bancroft, averaging 31.50, also appears every inch a Test cricketer.

All were gutsy calls from the selection panel of Trevor Hohns, Greg Chappell, Mark Waugh and coach Darren Lehmann.

Former Test spinner Stuart MacGill labelled them "idiots" and "morons masquerading as mentors" when they named their first Test squad.

Test great Shane Warne said "Australia look confused"; ex-captain Allan Border described Paine's recall as "bizarre".

But at the halfway stage of the Ashes series, Australia lead 2-0. And all selection calls have been winners.