Rod Marsh is a big fan of World No.2-ranked Test batsman AB De Villiers, which makes the following comparison a significant one.

As Australia’s new chairman of selectors, Marsh will play a key role in picking the side for the start of the two-Test series against Pakistan in Dubai on October 22.

Mitchell Marsh is pushing hard to regain full fitness to be available for a possible Test debut after straining a hamstring on September 30, while Glenn Maxwell is also vying for the allrounder’s role left vacant by Shane Watson’s injury-enforced absence.

“Put it this way. Those two blokes between them have as much natural talent as any two blokes in world cricket,” Rod Marsh said, while watching Australia’s training session in Dubai.

“South Africa’s AB De Villiers might be one (who has as much talent).

“He can do anything that bloke. Brilliant.

“But I don’t see too many other blokes around with as much natural talent as these blokes.

“What they’ve got to do is make runs and take wickets and become consistent players.

“That’s all we want.”

Maxwell, who turns 26 on Tuesday, played two Tests on Australia’s ill-fated tour of India in 2013.

The offspinner’s Test record of 39 runs and seven wickets in two matches suggests he’s a bowler, but his first-class averages of 41.64 with the bat and 37.97 with the ball point slightly in the other direction.

Maxwell’s four half-centuries in the 2014 Indian Premier League Twenty20 boosted his worldwide popularity and his match-winning knock of 76 in the second one-day international against Pakistan in Dubai on Friday was a sign of his growing maturity.

Mitchell Marsh and Maxwell both hit the ball extremely hard, which is something at which Rod Marsh excelled during the 1970s and early 1980s as Australia’s Test wicketkeeper/batsman.

Mitchell Marsh’s 89 off 83 balls against hosts Zimbabwe and 86 off 51 deliveries including three successive sixes off South Africa’s Dale Steyn in the recent ODI tri-series have showcased the powerful allrounder’s potential.

The 22-year-old’s bold strokeplay against Steyn, the No.1-ranked bowler in Test cricket, was astonishing.

Mitchell Marsh’s pace bowling has proved to be a huge asset to his game at state level, outshining his batting.

“It will be a pretty strong cricket team in a few years’ time if we can get these young blokes in and them being consistent, the world’s their oyster,” Rod Marsh said.

* GLENN MAXWELL’S CAREER AT A GLANCE

* Age: 25

* State team: Victoria

* Bowls: right-arm off breaks

* Bats: right-handed

* Test matches: 2

* Test record: 39 runs at 9.75 and 7 wickets at 27.57

* First-class matches: 28

* First-class record: 1874 runs at 41.64 (4 hundreds) and 42 wickets at 37.97

* ODI matches: 31

* ODI record: 833 runs at 33.32 and 17 wickets at 45.88

MITCHELL MARSH’S CAREER AT A GLANCE

* Age: 22

* State team: Western Australia

* Bowls: right-arm fast-medium

* Bats: right-handed

* Test matches: zero

* First-class matches: 38

* First-class record: 1768 runs at 28.51 (2 hundreds) and 56 wickets at 26.92

* ODI matches: 9

* ODI record: 261 runs at 37.28 and 4 wickets at 39.00.