The Ashes 2019: Cameron Bancroft joins David Warner and Steve Smith in Aussie squad for big series

A little over 15 months since their public humiliation in the ‘sandpapergate’ saga, all three of the perpetrators will unbelievably make their Test return in The Ashes. SEE THE SQUAD.

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Cameron Bancroft is just the sort of player Australia needs, according to selection chief Trevor Hohns, who has moved the formerly banned opening batsmen one step close to his Test redemption.

The West-Australian could be in the Australian batting line-up with banned brothers, Steve Smith and David Warner, as early as the first Ashes Test in Birmingham next week after being named in the 17-man squad.

Hohns conceded the selection panel had long had their eyes on Bancroft, who returned from his nine-month playing ban in December, and that his gutsy 93 not out on a treacherous wicket in Southampton sealed the deal.

The Aussie Ashes squad has been revealed.

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“He’s the type of player we think we need in our Australian side, he’s tough, he’s enthusiastic, his work ethic is fantastic. And he’s infectious,” Hohns said.

“We need people like that, people who want to continue to improve their game, and who are hard-nosed and tough. He fits the ball.

“We were always thinking about him, but we needed to get eyes on him. It’s fair to say no-one had seen much of him since his Shield return. He played towards the end of last season back home, but we wanted to see how he was going over here.”

Bancroft headlined the inclusions with Matthew Wade finally having “banged down the door” with his 1000-run Sheffield Shield season and three centuries for Australia A.

He could yet bat in the top six at Edgbaston too, with Hohns conceding the batting line-up was not settled.

“It has been (unsettled) for some time, there’s no doubt about that,” Hohns said.

Cameron Bancroft is congratulated by Matthew Wade after his match-winning knock.

Bancroft and Steve Smith are back in the Test squad.

“And I can sit here and tell you exactly what it will be right now, because we haven’t discussed it.

“We’ll contend with that when we get to Birmingham.

Hohns defended the non-selection of Alex Carey as a back-up keeper for Tim Paine. But Carey will be playing county cricket for Sussex, and could be called on if needed.

The inclusions of all-rounders Michael Neser and Mitchell Marsh strengthen a pace line-up with five Tests to be played in 48 days, plus two tour matches in between.

“The idea of six fast bowlers as well is to enable us to manage our fast bowlers as best we can, given the workload,” he said.

“There’s five Tests and even the county games in between are very hot on the heels of the final day of each Test match. So we thought we needed the extra fast bowler there.”

The Cape Town episode involving Cameron Bancroft was a low point for Aussie cricket.

Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head can help with spin duties after only Nathan Lyon was included as a front-liner.

But Hohns said, again, a replacement could be called should Lyon suffer a long-term injury.

The Australians will travel to Birmingham on Saturday, ahead of next Thursday’s first Test.

Originally published as The Ashes 2019: Cameron Bancroft joins David Warner and Steve Smith in Aussie squad for big series