Cricket: Dropped from the team after scoring 182

Shaun Marsh was dropped despite scoring 182 in the last test. Photo / Getty

Shaun Marsh was dropped from Australia's Test side after scoring 182 as selectors took a long-term view of their Boxing Day bother.

Usman Khawaja will return to the XI for the second Test against West Indies, reclaiming his No.3 spot in the batting order.

It will otherwise be an unchanged side at the MCG, where the hosts are fully expected to retain the Frank Worrell trophy.

Khawaja's recovery from a hamstring strain created a selection showdown between Marsh and Joe Burns.

Rod Marsh's panel backed Burns, valuing continuity at the top of the order over Marsh's fantastic form in the first Test.

"That was a big part of it," Steve Smith said, confirming he will slide down to No.4 in the order.

"Joe's been playing quite good cricket, he scored a hundred only a couple of Tests ago.

"They (Burns and David Warner) average 80 as a pair and it's pretty important to have a good opening stand.

"They've been doing a very good job so the selectors thought that was the right way to go."

Burns and Warner already have three partnerships of at least 100 runs and selectors know their pairing will be crucial on a two-Test tour of New Zealand in February.

"We were always talking about what's coming up as well," Smith said.

"There were a lot of conversations around it.

"Shaun's obviously extremely unlucky to miss out after scoring a brilliant 180 in the last Test match and 49 under a bit of pressure in the Test before that."

Australia's lack of batting depth in recent years means it is a hard-luck story that hasn't been told since 2008.

Phil Jaques is the most recent Australian to be dropped from the Test side after scoring a century, having made way for Matthew Hayden after scoring 108 in Barbados.

Meanwhile, Smith had an extended hit in the nets on Christmas Day and struggled for fluency.

"The wickets were a little bit tired and it was hard to get a lot of timing so I was getting a little bit frustrated out there," Smith said.

"I might have a hit indoors in the morning to get a bit of confidence up before the first ball is bowled."

Smith is however fully fit, with the extended break after the first Test allowing him to rest some niggles.

"My knee is probably feeling as good as it's felt all summer so that's all good and the hip has settled down," the 26-year-old said.

"I'm good to go."

Smith, recently crowned ICC cricketer of the year, nominated fielding as one area his side needed to improve on after walloping the West Indies by an innings and 212 runs.

"We can always improve in certain areas," Smith said.

"Our fielding has been quite disappointing this summer, so that's something that we've been working very hard at.

"We're just looking to get better every day and make sure that we get ourselves where we want to be - and that's No.1 in all three formats."

Uncapped paceman Scott Boland, called into the squad following Nathan Coulter-Nile's injury, will be released and play Sunday's Big Bash League match in Sydney.

- AAP