Australia named a solid 17-member squad for the upcoming Ashes series beginning on August 1 at Edgbaston. David Warner, Steven Smith, and also Cameron Bancroft– all three associated with the ball-tampering rumor have returned to the squad after offering their suspension.
National selector Trevor Hohns confessed that it was challenging to pick the team from a pool of 25 talented cricketers. He also said that they had splendid preparation for the Ashes with numerous of them playing in England for over a month currently. Australia will be desperate to finish their barren run in England as well as spoil the host’s dual win after the World Cup triumph as their last Ashes win in England was in 2001.
Uncapped pacer from Queensland, Michael Neser is the shock selection in the seven-member fast-bowling group alongside Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle as well as recalled allrounder Mitchell Marsh. Matthew Wade has additionally made a brilliant resurgence to the national squad on the back of some outstanding form for Australia A and also Tasmania. He edged out Alex Carey who had a superb World Cup campaign. The selector also omitted Jon Holland, leaving Nathan Lyon as their sole frontline spinner, and with the option of Marnus Labuschagne’s wrist-spin.
Australia has further included the injury-prone Usman Khawaja that stretches to recover from the injury he suffered during the ICC World Cup 2019. Returns with opener Marcus Harris, middle-order batsman Travis Head and Labuschagne, while Joe Burns and Kurtis Patterson, whom each made centuries in Canberra against Sri Lanka, are unlucky to miss out.
Australia Squad:
Tim Paine (c), Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Nathan Lyon, Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle.