Usman Khawaja and Jyhe Richardson recalled in Australia's Ashes squad

[MenInG]

Australia names squad for opening matches of the Vodafone Ashes Series
The National Selection Panel (NSP) has today named a 15-player squad for the first two matches of the Vodafone Men’s Ashes Series against England.

Also announced was an extended player list from which an Australia A team will be selected for a tour match against the English Lions.

Selected players will also have an internal match opportunity at Redlands Cricket Club from December 1-3 as part of their final preparation.

NB: NSP Chair George Bailey will be available at 1pm AEDT today: George Bailey

Australia:

Tim Paine (TAS) (c)
Pat Cummins (NSW) (vc)
Cameron Green (WA)
Marcus Harris (VIC)
Josh Hazlewood (NSW)
Travis Head (SA)
Usman Khawaja (QLD)
Marnus Labuschagne (QLD)
Nathan Lyon (NSW)
Michael Neser (QLD)
Jhye Richardson (WA)
Steve Smith (NSW)
Mitchell Starc (NSW)
Mitchell Swepson (QLD)
David Warner (NSW)

Additional Australia A players:

Sean Abbott (NSW)
Ashton Agar (WA)
Scott Boland (VIC)
Alex Carey (SA)
Henry Hunt (SA)
Josh Inglis (WA)
Nic Maddinson (VIC)
Mitchell Marsh (WA)
Matt Renshaw (QLD)
Mark Steketee (QLD)
Bryce Street (QLD)

George Bailey, NSP Chair, said on the squad for the first two Test matches: “After an extended break between Test matches we are looking to build a strong squad mentality across what is an incredibly exciting summer of cricket.

“This group is well balanced to ensure we are prepared for the many challenges of an Ashes Series. It has a mix of experienced, proven performers and emerging, developing talent.

“We will take this 15-player squad into the opening Test in Brisbane and the pink ball match in Adelaide, after which we can reassess for the remaining matches.”

Bailey said Marcus Harris and Travis Head had reinforced their most recent selection on the South African tour, while Jhye Richardson’s focus on longer form cricket had paid dividends for the young West Australian fast bowler.

“Jhye is seeing the rewards of concentrating on his red ball cricket in the build up to this series. We know he has an exceptional skill set and are excited about what he brings to the team now his body is back on track,” Bailey said.

“Marcus has been a consistent run scorer domestically and had a strong winter further developing his game with Leicestershire. He is a good player who will be looking to build a strong partnership with David Warner at the top of the order.

“Travis finished last summer strongly, second only to Cameron Green for runs scored, and has again started the season well. He drives the game forward and can put the opposition under pressure with his ability to score quickly.

“Similarly, Usman Khawaja has been in great touch. He brings a calm, consistent and experienced component to the batting line up and is a proven run scorer at Test level. He also has the ability to bat across a range of positions in the batting order.”

Fast bowler Michael Neser has returned to training following a minor hamstring strain to retain his place in the squad. Neser has been part of the Test Squads for a number of series and continues to lead the Queensland attack with strong domestic performances.

Squad members from the ICC T20 Men’s World Cup campaign have returned to the Gold Coast to begin preparations for the Brisbane Test from December 8, to be joined by their team-mates over the coming weeks.

 

[MenInG]

Usman Khawaja's irresistible recent form has won him a recall to Australia's 15-man squad for the start of the Ashes, and potentially into a battle with Travis Head for the vacant batting berth heading into the first two Vodafone Tests against England in Brisbane and Adelaide.

Khawaja and Head are vying for the middle-order role vacated by Matthew Wade in a squad that confirms Marcus Harris as David Warner's opening partner and leggie Mitchell Swepson as back-up spinner alongside five pace bowlers and allrounder Cameron Green.

Australia's Ashes squad: Tim Paine (c), Pat Cummins (vc), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

Australia A players: Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Henry Hunt, Josh Inglis, Nic Maddinson, Mitchell Marsh, Matt Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Bryce Street

The Queensland captain – the leading domestic first-class runs scorer for the current season – last played Test cricket during the 2019 Ashes series in the UK, as did T20 World Cup hero Mitchell Marsh, who was included in an 11-man Australia A squad also named today.

Tim Paine will lead the Ashes team despite not having played a game this season due to recent neck surgery, although he is expected to turn out in Premier Cricket in Hobart this weekend followed by a four-day second XI match for Tasmania against South Australia days later.

The national selection panel have also named the Australia A squad to take part in a three-day internal practice game against the Test squad in Brisbane from December 1, followed by a four-day game against England Lions from December 9.

The Australia A squad comprises players who are Queensland-based (Mark Steketee, Matthew Renshaw, Bryce Street) or are currently completing quarantine on the Gold Coast after returning from the T20 World Cup, such as WA trio Marsh, Josh Inglis and Ashton Agar.

However, the Australia A squad also includes in-form South Australia opener Henry Hunt and his Redbacks teammate Alex Carey, as well as auxiliary fast bowlers Sean Abbott and Scott Boland and prolific Victoria batter Nic Maddinson.

The selection panel – chair George Bailey, Tony Dodemaide and men's team coach Justin Langer – have named the squad for the first two Tests, at the Gabba from December 8-12 and a pink-ball day-night Test at Adelaide Oval from December 16-20.

"This group is well balanced to ensure we are prepared for the many challenges of an Ashes Series," Bailey said today.

"It has a mix of experienced, proven performers and emerging, developing talent.

"We will take this 15-player squad into the opening Test in Brisbane and the pink ball match in Adelaide, after which we can reassess for the remaining matches."

Khawaja and Western Australia pace bowler Jhye Richardson are the two players in line for an Ashes berth who were not part of Australia's most recent Test squad, the touring party named last January for the proposed series against South Africa that was ultimately postponed.

Missing from that 19-man squad are opener Will Pucovski (sidelined with concussion), fast bowler James Pattinson (retired from international cricket) and allrounder Moises Henriques, who has been unavailable for the start of New South Wales season due to quarantine after an IPL stint.

Abbott, Steketee and South Australia keeper Carey were also members of the expanded South Africa squad, and their selection in the Australia A group indicates they are at the top of the queue should replacements be required during the Ashes summer.

Queensland seamer Michael Neser was also in the South Africa squad, and he retains his place in the Ashes race despite suffering a hamstring injury last week with medical staff expecting he will be fit to play come the internal practice sessions.

Neser and Swepson are the only two members of the Ashes squad yet to earn a Baggy Green.

Having earlier indicated the panel's hope that Harris gets an extended opportunity to establish himself as a Test opener, Bailey confirmed the left-hander's recent UK county stint had further benefitted his game.

Bailey made the same observation on Test-capped Richardson's prioritising of red-ball cricket, which saw him claim a five-wicket haul for WA in last week's Marsh Sheffield Shield game against Queensland.

"Jhye is seeing the rewards of concentrating on his red ball cricket in the build up to this series," Bailey said.

"We know he has an exceptional skill set and are excited about what he brings to the team now his body is back on track.

"Marcus has been a consistent run scorer domestically and had a strong winter further developing his game with Leicestershire.

"He is a good player who will be looking to build a strong partnership with David Warner at the top of the order."

Bailey also mounted strong cases for the inclusion of both Head and Khawaja after Wade's Test tenure was effectively ended when he was overlooked for the South Africa squad in the wake of Australia's home series defeat to India last summer.

"Travis finished last summer strongly, second only to Cameron Green for runs scored, and has again started the season well," Bailey said.

"He drives the game forward and can put the opposition under pressure with his ability to score quickly.

"Similarly, Usman Khawaja has been in great touch.

"He brings a calm, consistent and experienced component to the batting line up and is a proven run scorer at Test level.

"He also has the ability to bat across a range of positions in the batting order."

Australia's Ashes squad: Tim Paine (c), Pat Cummins (vc), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

Australia A players: Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Henry Hunt, Josh Inglis, Nic Maddinson, Mitchell Marsh, Matt Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Bryce Street

Vodafone Men's Ashes v England

Tour Matches

Nov 23-25: England v England Lions, Brisbane

Nov 30 – Dec 3: England v England Lions, Brisbane

Dec 1-3: Australian intra-squad match, Brisbane

Dec 9-12: Australia A v England Lions, Brisbane

Tests

First Test: December 8-12, The Gabba

Second Test: December 16-20, Adelaide Oval

Third Test: December 26-30, MCG

Fourth Test: January 5-9, SCG

Fifth Test: January 14-18, Perth Stadium

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/aus...pJobID=2101116807&spReportId=MjEwMTExNjgwNwS2

 

[street cricketer]

Great to see Jhye back in the squad. Australia would be silly to include Starc in their starting XI, but I suppose even an out of form Starc will be good enough for the English who traditionally wilt in Australia to pace and bounce.

I would have Neser or Jhye in place of Starc in the starting XI and rotate - have Starc in the day nighter. Also great to see Khawaja back in the squad on the back of some great Shield runs. I would imagine Head needs to start kicking on soon and strengthen his place in the team, he was pigeon holed as the next Australia captain but 30s and 40s won't make him a starter in the Australian XI.

My starting XI for Aus:

Warner
Khawaja
Marnus
Smith
Head
Green
Paine (c) (wk)
Cummins
Lyon
Neser
Hazlewood

 

[Ab Fan]

Wade might start at 5 over Head.

Overall, Australia have shown that they have been a top test team with as many as 7-8 world class players.

England had only 4 - Root, Stokes, Anderson and 4th name changes based on conditions.

 

[Colorblind Genius]

In the last many decades, this has been the first era in the Australian Test team that the worst player who doesn’t even deserve a spot in the team, is actually the captain.
No exceptional skill set, no extraordinary record in any specialty, no inspirational personality, no nothing, yet he is the captain.

 

[street cricketer]

In the last many decades, this has been the first era in the Australian Test team that the worst player who doesn’t even deserve a spot in the team, is actually the captain.
No exceptional skill set, no extraordinary record in any specialty, no inspirational personality, no nothing, yet he is the captain.

Good chat behind the stumps though

 

[Devadwal]

Great to see Jhye back in the squad. Australia would be silly to include Starc in their starting XI, but I suppose even an out of form Starc will be good enough for the English who traditionally wilt in Australia to pace and bounce.

I would have Neser or Jhye in place of Starc in the starting XI and rotate - have Starc in the day nighter. Also great to see Khawaja back in the squad on the back of some great Shield runs. I would imagine Head needs to start kicking on soon and strengthen his place in the team, he was pigeon holed as the next Australia captain but 30s and 40s won't make him a starter in the Australian XI.

My starting XI for Aus:

Warner
Khawaja
Marnus
Smith
Head
Green
Paine (c) (wk)
Cummins
Lyon
Neser
Hazlewood

I think Marcus Harris will open with Warner and one of khawaja / Head will play at 5

 

[Last Monetarist]

Wade might start at 5 over Head.

Overall, Australia have shown that they have been a top test team with as many as 7-8 world class players.

England had only 4 - Root, Stokes, Anderson and 4th name changes based on conditions.

Wade's not part of the squad and his test career appears to be over short of anything miraculous in the Sheffield Shield.

 

[street cricketer]

I think Marcus Harris will open with Warner and one of khawaja / Head will play at 5

I think Khawaja does play in the middle order for Queensland where he scored his centuries recently, but I don't see it happening for Australia. Khawaja has always been an opener for Australia and the middle order spot is between one of either Head or Wade, depending on who's in better nick. Harris will start the Ashes on the bench and will come in if one of the openers has a stinker of a series.

 

[Mobashir]

Wade might start at 5 over Head.

Overall, Australia have shown that they have been a top test team with as many as 7-8 world class players.

England had only 4 - Root, Stokes, Anderson and 4th name changes based on conditions.

Wade isn't even in the squad.
Keep it on, you are on fire these days.

 

[street cricketer]

Wade isn't even in the squad.
Keep it on, you are on fire these days.

Oh, thanks. I went by Ab Fan's words and thought Wade had been called for the Test team once again due to his T20 heroics. Then I don't see anyone other than Head playing at 5.

 

[Unbiased-Fan]

Mitch Marsh and Nic Maddinson should have selected in the main squad..
Don't know what happened to young Pucovski, he was very promising in his debut series against India.
Harris is very stylish batsman but don't think he will succeed in international cricket.Though I'll select him over 35 year old Khawaja in the starting lineup.

My starting XI for 1st Ashes state.
1.Warner
2.Harris
3.Labuschagne
4.Smith
5.Head
6.Green
7.Paine *
8.Cummins
9.Starc
10.Lyon
11.Hazlewood

 

[street cricketer]

Mitch Marsh and Nic Maddinson should have selected in the main squad..
Don't know what happened to young Pucovski, he was very promising in his debut series against India.
Harris is very stylish batsman but don't think he will succeed in international cricket.Though I'll select him over 35 year old Khawaja in the starting lineup.

My starting XI for 1st Ashes state.
1.Warner
2.Harris
3.Labuschagne
4.Smith
5.Head
6.Green
7.Paine *
8.Cummins
9.Starc
10.Lyon
11.Hazlewood

Mitch Marsh was much maligned exactly because they were trying to make him a Teat cricketer when he could have a great career in white ball cricket had he concentrate on it from the start. Marsh doesn't deserve to be in the Ashes based on his T20 exploits.

Pucovski got a concussion once again with a bouncer to his head a few weeks before in domestic cricket.

 

[Unbiased-Fan]

Mitch Marsh was much maligned exactly because they were trying to make him a Teat cricketer when he could have a great career in white ball cricket had he concentrate on it from the start. Marsh doesn't deserve to be in the Ashes based on his T20 exploits.

Pucovski got a concussion once again with a bouncer to his head a few weeks before in domestic cricket.

Poor guy Pucovski..
Too many breaks in very young career.
Seems like he will always be fighting with injuries.
Hope he make come back like Pat Cummins.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

I think Khawaja does play in the middle order for Queensland where he scored his centuries recently, but I don't see it happening for Australia. Khawaja has always been an opener for Australia and the middle order spot is between one of either Head or Wade, depending on who's in better nick. Harris will start the Ashes on the bench and will come in if one of the openers has a stinker of a series.

I think they released a statement recently that Harris will be Warner's opening partner so I think he will start. Khwaja will most likely play at 5 . I personally think Travis Head is a better option but Khwaja scored heavily in their domestic so he has probably earned it.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

I think this is probably their best lineup

1. Warner
2. Harris
3. Marnus
4. Smith
5. Khwaja/Head
6. Green
7. Paine
8. Cummins
9. Steketee(this might be the surprise selection - but hes on re d hot form and Starc looked a bit jaded)
10. Lyon
11. Josh

 

[gazza619]

In the last many decades, this has been the first era in the Australian Test team that the worst player who doesn’t even deserve a spot in the team, is actually the captain.
No exceptional skill set, no extraordinary record in any specialty, no inspirational personality, no nothing, yet he is the captain.

He does do very interesting press conferences though talking about women rights in Afghanistan and what not.