Australia announce Ashes squad for first two Tests, Cameron Bancroft and Tim Paine included

[Abdullah719]

The National Selection Panel have named a 13-player squad for the first two Magellan Ashes Series Tests in Brisbane and Adelaide.

Steve Smith (c) New South Wales
David Warner (vc) New South Wales
Cameron Bancroft Western Australia
Jackson Bird Tasmania
Pat Cummins New South Wales
Peter Handscomb Victoria
Josh Hazlewood New South Wales
Usman Khawaja Queensland
Nathan Lyon New South Wales
Shaun Marsh Western Australia
Tim Paine Tasmania
Chadd Sayers South Australia
Mitchell Starc New South Wales

West Australian Cameron Bancroft is set for his Test debut following solid performances in the Sheffield Shield this season.

National Selector Trevor Hohns said Bancroft had earnt his call-up to the Test side.

“Cameron has been a player of interest to us for some time now, having been unlucky to miss out on the Test tour to Bangladesh that was cancelled in 2015.

“He is a very talented and tough cricketer who shows a good temperament for Test cricket.

“He has thoroughly earned and deserves his call-up following some outstanding performances in the early rounds of the JLT Sheffield Shield competition this season.

Bancroft joins his West Australian teammate Shaun Marsh in the batting line-up.

“Shaun is playing very well at the moment, having scored consistently in the JLT One-Day Cup and first three rounds of the JLT Sheffield Shield competition.

“He is a versatile player who can slot in anywhere in the batting order and will add valuable experience to the batting line-up.”

Tasmanian Tim Paine will take the gloves for his first Test in seven years, having last played for Australian in October 2010.

“Tim was identified as an international player a long time ago and has always been renowned as a very good gloveman, also performing well for us whenever he has represented Australia in any format.

“His batting form in recent outings for the Cricket Australia XI and Tasmania has been good.”

South Australian Chadd Sayers joins the fast-bowling line-up in the squad.

“Chadd’s inclusion in the squad is with a view to the Adelaide Test and the conditions that we may see there.

“He swings the ball with good control and knows the conditions well at his home ground.

“He gives us this bowling option if required.”

Queensland batsman Matthew Renshaw and Tasmanian wicket-keeper Matthew Wade have been omitted from the squad.

“Matt Wade has been left out of the squad following some inconsistent performances with the gloves and lack of form with the bat.

“Unfortunately his run of performances did not improve in the early rounds of Sheffield Shield and we have opted to make a change.”

Hohns said the NSP didn’t feel Renshaw is batting well enough at present to earn selection.

“We still view Matthew as a player of immense talent, but he is out of form at the moment and we don’t feel an Ashes Test match is the best place for him to find form.

“We would like him to go back to first-class cricket and push his name forward with the selection panel through big runs,” Hohns concluded.

 

[Hasan123]

My XI from this squad would be

Warner
Bancroft
Khawaja
Smith
Handscomb
Shaun
Paine
Starc
Hazelwood
Lyon
Cummins

 

[Chief Destroyer]

[MENTION=132373]Convict[/MENTION] Is Sayers any good or a domestic bully?

 

[Hasan123]

Can't believe Australia picked Paine. There seemed to better opitions but seems as though Australia wanted experience.

The Australian selectors love affair for Shaun Marsh is never ending. Seems as though he's undroppbale.

Disappointed they didn't stick with Renshaw but Bancroft deserves a chance.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Hopefully Bancroft announces himself. Excellent technician.

 

[MMHS]

1. David Warner (vc)
2. Cameron Bancroft
3. Usman Khawaja
4. Steve Smith (c)
5. Shaun Marsh
6. Peter Handscomb
7. Tim Paine+
8. Pat Cummins
9. Mitchell Starc
10. Nathan Lyon
11. Josh Hazlewood
.
.
.
.
.
5-0

 

[Convict]

[MENTION=132373]Convict[/MENTION] Is Sayers any good or a domestic bully?

I rate him but he's too slow for what the selectors want.

Though I do think Bird is better.

 

[Sherlock]

Can't believe they've gone back to Tim Paine. Surely there's someone in the domestic format that can WK and do more than just hold a bat?

 

[Convict]

Can't believe they've gone back to Tim Paine. Surely there's someone in the domestic format that can WK and do more than just hold a bat?

Well Paine can't hold a bat.

 

[giri26]

Paine is a shocking selection. I wasn't even aware he was in contention. I would have preferred Wade instead. If they had to pick a keeper they should have gone to Peter Nevill. I agree with Bancroft, he deserved to be selected and Marsh seems like a desperate selection. Chris Rogers was dropped from the state side because he was too old but a 35 year old makes the National side. Anyways Marsh did well in the chances he got in the FC games so good luck to him.

 

[Ahson8]

Well Paine can't hold a bat.

Can’t be worse than Wade. What do you think about dropping Renshaw ?

 

[Sherlock]

Well Paine can't hold a bat.

Well, yeah, that's the point.

It was a general comment on Aussies WKs. There must be some talent, somewhere in Australia.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Shouldn’t have dropped Renshaw.

 

[Ellipsism]

[MENTION=132373]Convict[/MENTION] Is Sayers any good or a domestic bully?

He's only there for the pink ball test, he's known for his ability to move the ball around. Apart from having that ability there's nothing much else to his bowling. A pink ball specialist if you ask me.

 

[Ellipsism]

Shouldn’t have dropped Renshaw.

He's yet to pass 20 runs in the last 10 odd innings.

 

[Ellipsism]

Well, yeah, that's the point.

It was a general comment on Aussies WKs. There must be some talent, somewhere in Australia.

Bancroft is a capable w/k, and I'm sure Whiteman would be a contender if it weren't for his finger injury.

What's baffling for me is that Paine hasn't been keeping at all for the Tassie side and yet he makes the Ashes squad as a pure wicket-keeper.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Selection of paine is a strange one, adding to that in last ashes series in Australia one of main reasons they won was because haddin time and time again during the series bailed the Aussies out with the bat. Can paine done similar? not sure!

 

[Markhor]

What's with the cold shoulder to Ed Cowan ?

If he's too old to be picked then why has Shaun Marsh got another recall ?

 

[mak36]

Bancroft is a good selection. However, can't help but feel they have been exceptionally harsh to Renshaw.

Paine is certainly a left field selection- personally would have gone for Nevill.

Even though the above selections can be debated, what cannot be disputed is the selection of Marsh is beyond ridiculous (for many different reasons). Stinks of panic from Australia.

 

[Suleiman]

It's quite paineful to see Australia of all countries struggling to find a world class keeper batsman.

Wonder why this has been the case for few years now..

 

[James]

Australia and England look to have similarly mediocre squads to me, the only standout in terms of quality is the Aussie pace attack which looks strong and (barring a run of injuries) could make the difference in the series.

 

[wrongun]

What's with the cold shoulder to Ed Cowan ?

If he's too old to be picked then why has Shaun Marsh got another recall ?

Inside word is he doesn't fit in well with some of the "senior" players. He's articulate and well educated and went to posh schools. Australia is like the opposite of England- so that background actually makes him the opposite of most guys who are from average suburbs, not intellectual or interested in education. He's a different kettle of fish.

Warner, Smith, Clarke- none of them can talk about any subject other than cricket. So because he's not a meat-head and he speaks his mind a bit too much, he's on the outer.

 

[giri26]

Australia and England look to have similarly mediocre squads to me, the only standout in terms of quality is the Aussie pace attack which looks strong and (barring a run of injuries) could make the difference in the series.

The Australian squad is strong enough for the home conditions with the top 5 averaging 60+ at home over the last few years. English batting though isn't the same, they probably would have been okay playing at home but except for Cook and Root, the rest of the batting is going to struggle against the Australian pace attack.

 

[Convict]

[MENTION=53290]Markhor[/MENTION]

Inside word is he doesn't fit in well with some of the "senior" players. He's articulate and well educated and went to posh schools. Australia is like the opposite of England- so that background actually makes him the opposite of most guys who are from average suburbs, not intellectual or interested in education. He's a different kettle of fish.

Warner, Smith, Clarke- none of them can talk about any subject other than cricket. So because he's not a meat-head and he speaks his mind a bit too much, he's on the outer.

Alternatively one might suggested that during his near 20 consecutive test run in the side he proved to be a thoroughly mediocre player with limited upside. An average of 31 at a strike rate of 40 is about where he is at. He is also only an opener.

But no people want the drama explanation.

 

[Titan24]

Considering how much injury prone Asutralian fast bowlers have been recently, I dont think going without a fifth bowler is the best move. They needed a good all rounder, even Stoinis could have provided those 5 to 10 overs and he is pretty good with the bat as we have seen in ODIs. If England gets a score more than 400 than considering the way Starc and Cummins have been throughout their careers Australians will be nervous that they might get unfit.

He could have easily replaced Shaun Marsh as he was able to create more impact in the limited oppurtunities he got than Marsh has created in his whole career. More importantly he is young and can be a good future player for Australia. Also if some people think that Marsh a better batsman than Stoinis in Australian conditions then one has to realize that Starc and Cummins can also contribute decently in lower order.

 

[Titan24]

And we used to think that Ahmed Shehzad is the come back king or the Akmal Family is always glued to the national team. Hands down to the Marsh family and especially Shaun Marsh, I cant even count on fingers his come backs.

 

[Convict]

Considering how much injury prone Asutralian fast bowlers have been recently, I dont think going without a fifth bowler is the best move. They needed a good all rounder, even Stoinis could have provided those 5 to 10 overs and he is pretty good with the bat as we have seen in ODIs. If England gets a score more than 400 than considering the way Starc and Cummins have been throughout their careers Australians will be nervous that they might get unfit.

He could have easily replaced Shaun Marsh as he was able to create more impact in the limited oppurtunities he got than Marsh has created in his whole career. More importantly he is young and can be a good future player for Australia. Also if some people think that Marsh a better batsman than Stoinis in Australian conditions then one has to realize that Starc and Cummins can also contribute decently in lower order.

Stoinis' father passed away a few days ago.

 

[Hermoine Green]

Khawaja getting too many chances.

 

[James]

We usually bowl quite well to Khawaja. But I think Warner and particularly Smith will pile on the runs.

 

[Junaids]

[MENTION=132373]Convict[/MENTION] and I have disagreed for a long time about Tim Paine.

I think that only his fragile hand bones have deprived him of a long and illustrious Test career.

His catching and batting are in the Peter Nevill Class, but he has leadership skills too. Not shouty yobbo nonsense like Wade, but genuine leadership skills.

 

[Ellipsism]

We usually bowl quite well to Khawaja. But I think Warner and particularly Smith will pile on the runs.

Handsomb and Bancroft are high quality batsman, another pair to watch out for.

 

[Convict]

[MENTION=132373]Convict[/MENTION] and I have disagreed for a long time about Tim Paine.

I think that only his fragile hand bones have deprived him of a long and illustrious Test career.

His catching and batting are in the Peter Nevill Class, but he has leadership skills too. Not shouty yobbo nonsense like Wade, but genuine leadership skills.

His batting is nowhere near the class of Nevill.

 

[Hasan123]

His batting is nowhere near the class of Nevill.

I would have gone with Nevill. Australia discarded him to early.

 

[Markhor]

Funny reading Shane Warne saying Australia come into the Ashes with more problems than England. Either its Aussie mind games or just another of Warney's over the top statements.

So Australia have replaced an opener, are unsure about No.6 and have WK problems.

Engand meanwhile are on their 12th opening partner since 2012 for Alastair Cook whose own Ashes record is ordinary. James Vince has a pretty cover drive and that's about it, but is pencilled in at 3 despite a mediocre county season. Dawid Malan's mighty Test average of 23 is inflated by multiple reprieves in the West Indies series but is meant to hold a collapse prone batting lineup together at 5.

Gary Ballance is recalled for no reason other than he was Joe Root's flatmate as he has little to show from his Test career, and because Trevor Bayliss doesn't watch county cricket so is unaware of alternatives.

Stokes is under police investigation back home. They're banking on two ageing new ball bowlers, one of whom has had numerous injuries in the last year and is 35 years old who never had a good record down under even at his peak. Meanwhile, Moeen is expected to hold an end despite Australia being a graveyard for offspin.

Also note that England took a better squad in 13/14 but got whitewashed 5-0 anyway. I'm sure England would love to have Australia's "problems".

 

[Hasan123]

Funny reading Shane Warne saying Australia come into the Ashes with more problems than England. Either its Aussie mind games or just another of Warney's over the top statements.

So Australia have replaced an opener, are unsure about No.6 and have WK problems.

Engand meanwhile are on their 12th opening partner since 2012 for Alastair Cook whose own Ashes record is ordinary. James Vince has a pretty cover drive and that's about it, but is pencilled in at 3 despite a mediocre county season. Dawid Malan's mighty Test average of 23 is inflated by multiple reprieves in the West Indies series but is meant to hold a collapse prone batting lineup together at 5.

Gary Ballance is recalled for no reason other than he was Joe Root's flatmate as he has little to show from his Test career, and because Trevor Bayliss doesn't watch county cricket so is unaware of alternatives.

Stokes is under police investigation back home. They're banking on two ageing new ball bowlers, one of whom has had numerous injuries in the last year and is 35 years old who never had a good record down under even at his peak. Meanwhile, Moeen is expected to hold an end despite Australia being a graveyard for offspin.

Also note that England took a better squad in 13/14 but got whitewashed 5-0 anyway. I'm sure England would love to have Australia's "problems".

Another hilarious thing is, some English pundits are saying this Australian side is one of the weakest

 

[Ab Fan]

Funny reading Shane Warne saying Australia come into the Ashes with more problems than England. Either its Aussie mind games or just another of Warney's over the top statements.

So Australia have replaced an opener, are unsure about No.6 and have WK problems.

<B>Engand meanwhile are on their 12th opening partner since 2012 for Alastair Cook whose own Ashes record is ordinary.</B> James Vince has a pretty cover drive and that's about it, but is pencilled in at 3 despite a mediocre county season. Dawid Malan's mighty Test average of 23 is inflated by multiple reprieves in the West Indies series but is meant to hold a collapse prone batting lineup together at 5.

Gary Ballance is recalled for no reason other than he was Joe Root's flatmate as he has little to show from his Test career, and because Trevor Bayliss doesn't watch county cricket so is unaware of alternatives.

Stokes is under police investigation back home. They're banking on two ageing new ball bowlers, one of whom has had numerous injuries in the last year and is 35 years old who never had a good record down under even at his peak. Meanwhile, Moeen is expected to hold an end despite Australia being a graveyard for offspin.

Also note that England took a better squad in 13/14 but got whitewashed 5-0 anyway. I'm sure England would love to have Australia's "problems".

What happened to Hameed or Jennings?? Aren't they in contention anymore?

 

[hadi123]

What happened to Hameed or Jennings?? Aren't they in contention anymore?

Jennings was awful for England in the summer and rightfully dropped. Hameed didn't have a great a domestic season.

 

[HitWicket]

Another hilarious thing is, some English pundits are saying this Australian side is one of the weakest

Are they not?

 

[Hasan123]

Are they not?

Strong bowling attack and 2 world class batsmen. I don't think they are as bad as the English media are making out. The 2010 side was worse.

 

[Ab Fan]

Jennings was awful for England in the summer and rightfully dropped. Hameed didn't have a great a domestic season.

Yaah.. Jennings never looked convincing enough either. But Hameed should be given more chances??

 

[giri26]

Ashes 2017 - Darren Lehmann urges angry and bemused players to back team amid selection discontent

Australian coach Darren Lehmann has urged current and past players to get behind Steve Smith's men against England amid a wave of disillusionment around the country about the selection of the team for the first Ashes Test.

There was a sense of shock about the make-up of the 13-man squad when it was confirmed on Friday but also anger and frustration from players at state level, and not simply among those who were dropped from Australia's last Test side or were in the frame and missed out.

Tim Paine's stunning elevation from the Tasmania back-up to the Test wicketkeeper's job and Shaun Marsh's selection at No.6 were the main sources of discontent.

Players are scratching their heads about perceived inconsistencies in selection decisions and in the messaging from the panel over the past 12 months. A range of grievances have been voiced privately to Fairfax Media since the team was revealed.

There are questions how Paine, not the first-choice 'keeper for his state and whose first-class average is under 30, could be chosen on the strength of a half-century for a Cricket Australia XI against England in Adelaide and an unbeaten 71 playing as a batsman only for Tasmania against Victoria.

While there can be little argument with the ascendance of an in-form Cameron Bancroft, there is also bemusement about Marsh's inclusion at the age of 34, which reverses a trend of picking younger players such as Hilton Cartwright, Ashton Agar and Nic Maddinson in the past year and leaves others in the older generation that were overlooked even more uncertain about what selectors want.

Dumped incumbents such as Matthew Wade - who now faces the prospect of playing as a batsman only for Tasmania when Paine comes back to state cricket - and Glenn Maxwell, who featured in Australia's last four Tests and scored a maiden hundred in one of them in India, would also have reason to query the system.

Even if Australia reclaim the Ashes and the selectors look like geniuses, it is increasingly clear they will be left with a domestic playing group that is unsure of where it stands.

Shane Warne on Friday led the reaction to the first Test selection by describing Australia as "confused" but Lehmann on Sunday strongly defended the panel's choices.

In the winter Lehmann wrote a letter to past and present players urging them to get behind Australia and he reiterated that message, with Smith's team to begin preparations for the first Test at the Gabba on Monday.

"It was tough but we were very clear the way we wanted to go," Lehmann said. "At the end of the day everyone is entitled to their opinions and we made sure the three Shield games were really important. Everyone got a good hit-out and put their case forward before we selected the side.

"I'd just like all our players, ex-players to be really positive about the Australian cricket team. That would be the way to go. I'm looking forward to everyone getting behind Australia and the contest that's about to unfold."

The national coach explained the decision to pick 32-year-old Paine over Wade and NSW's Peter Nevill was not one made without lengthy consideration. Selectors now regard Paine as a superior gloveman to Nevill, who stands behind the stumps to the Australian Test attack at state level.

"We watched him 'keep a bit with the T20s and the [CA XI] game. He's a high-quality keeper," Lehmann said of Paine.

"It was really all the keepers going at it...whoever performed the best with the gloves and then obviously get some runs.

"I was very impressed with him down in the Adelaide game, I went down for that. He's been very good for us in the T20s and we decided to go down that path."

Asked about Marsh, back in the XI after losing his CA contract and not being taken to Bangladesh in August, the coach said: "We're really confident with where he is at as a player. He's in good form so he'll do well. He's played some important knocks for us. He's really confident in himself."

Lehmann expects that Smith will contribute some overs to the Australian attack with his leg-spin in the absence of an all-rounder.

"He'll have to bowl at some stage I'm sure. England are a quality side and he's got some key wickets against them before," he said.

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cric...mid-selection-discontent-20171119-gzoh7e.html

 

[James]

Another hilarious thing is, some English pundits are saying this Australian side is one of the weakest

Well, it is. But the England side itself is so bad that Australia still go into the series as strong favourites.

 

[Amjid Javed]

I think this will be probably one of the most competative Ashes series between the two sides in a while, both teams have some good players and then plenty of mediocre ones as well. I think which ever fringe players shine more will end up helping their team win the series 3-2.