Mitchell Marsh 'very disappointed' at ODI omission

Marsh, who was named vice-captain of the Test side that lost 1-0 to Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, had a lean patch with the bat, managing just 30 runs and two wickets across four innings. He fared only marginally better in the two Twenty20 Internationals that followed, hitting 42 runs and getting two wickets.

Trevor Hohns, Australia's chairman of selectors, suggested Marsh, along with Nathan Lyon, were rested from the side to "to ensure they are in the best condition possible to put their hand up for selection either later in the summer or for the World Cup next year."

But Marsh knows he has to do better. "I was very disappointed," he told AAP."Over the last three or four years, (50-over cricket has) been my best format. But right now I'm not in our best XI. There's no doubt I want to be in that World Cup team. I want to be a leader in the one-day team as well.

"Right now I've got to get myself as fit as I can so I can play all three formats and be performing in all three formats for Australia.

"This is a minor setback but I still think that I can be in our best side throughout this summer."

His performances in the Tests were particularly disheartening for Marsh given the trust shown in him by the team management. Not only was he picked as one of the two vice-captains of the side, he was also made captain of the Australia A side that toured India for two four-day matches in August.

"It was shattering," Marsh said. "You work so hard throughout the winter and you work on so many things to try and be a better cricketer and become better in these conditions. And it didn't come off for me this series.

"I learnt a lot again. For me it's just about taking the opportunity. I know exactly what I have to do to play in the Test team and that's dominate Shield cricket and make sure they can't not pick me."

The first ODI against South Africa will be played on Sunday, 4 November in Perth.