Posted by ICC T20 World Cup champions, Australia have their next big assignment Ashes to look at. George Bailey, chairman of selectors addressed the media today and named Australia’s squad for the opening two test matches, (Gabba and Adelaide Oval). The A team too has been announced that’ll play the intra-squad, three-day game in Brisbane from 1st to 3rd of December before taking on England Lions from 9th to 12th of December.
AUSTRALIA’S ASHES SQUAD FOR GABBA AND OVAL TEST MATCH : 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.
It’s a real strong squad named, the best possible Australia could have named. Opening slots locked in for Marcus Harris and David Warner. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith will feature in their regular no.3 and 4. It’s the no.5 spot that’s stealing limelight, Travis Head and Usman Khawaja are the one’s who are battling for that no.5 spot, Head started his Shield Games well but couldn’t carry the same momentum, whereas Khawaja has just had an outstanding season that might see him win the race for the no.5 spot. Cameron Green has had a great run in Sheild games and has his no.6 position secured ahead of his first Ashes series.
Mitchell Swepson continues to find a spot in the squad as the second spinner with Nathan Lyon being the first choice spinner. The pace trio of Starc, Hazelwood and Cummins remains intact with backup options in a very impressive Jhye Richardson and Mitchell Neser who’s currently injured but is likely to be fit for the opening test and the intra-squad squad.
AUSTRALIA A SQUAD : Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Henry Hunt, Josh Inglis, Nic Maddinson, Mitchell Marsh, Matt Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Bryce Street.
The A squad too is an impressive one with many top performers from Sheild games featuring in the A squad. The opening duties will feature Henry Hunt and Bryce Street with Alex Carey, Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis and Nic Maddinson forming the middle order and it is a good looking batting unit with bonus runs from the lower order who are handy with the bat. Marsh and Inglis will be retuning from a good run in T20’s and their adaptability in whites will be good to look at. Openers and middle order batters, Renshaw and Maddinson have had good Shield Games and impressive A games will give them an opportunity to present their case for the remaining 3 Ashes test matches.
Ashton Agar, the lone spinner will have a huge role to play and with many subcontinent tours lined up he has to have good outings. Sean Abbott, Scott Boland and Mark Steketee forming the pace attack have been impressive im Shield games and Marsh who’s had been bowling with the white ball will now have duties with the red. The A squad players with 2 games on schedule hold an opportunity to present their case for selection for the final 3.
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