Australian Ashes Squad 2023: David Warner to be selected to take on England

An announcement on Australia’s squad for the World Test Championship final and Ashes series in England is imminent. Get the early mail and find out who’s likely to be in it.

David Warner will be given the chance to end his Test career on a high with selection in this summer’s Ashes squad.

Warner will be confirmed in a 17 or 18 man squad announced as soon as Wednesday which will play the World Test Championship final against India at The Oval from June 7 and the first two Ashes Tests at Edgbaston and Lord’s.

The squad will then be reselected for the final three Ashes Tests.

Australia is likely to shore up its top order batting strength by including Victorian opener Marcus Harris and perhaps Matt Renshaw whose fate may rest on whether the squad includes a second reserve batsman which has not been confirmed.

Apart from his extraordinary 200 against South Africa at the MCG last summer, Warner has been out of form in recent seasons, averaging over 26 in just one of his last four series.

But he has found better touch in recent IPL matches where he has scored three half centuries in his last five matches for the Delhi Capitals.

David Warner will be in the Ashes squad to tour England. Picture: Getty Images

These innings, while a world away from the challenges he will face against old foes Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson in England, have done much to restore Warner‘s confidence after he had with withdraw from the recent Indian tour with a fractured elbow.

He also suffered concussion after being struck in the head by fast bowler Mohammad Siraj.

Harris has a Test average of only 25 after 14 Tests but Australia‘s selectors feel he is maturing and worth one last shot if Warner cannot go the distance in England.

While Travis Head opened the batting with success during the Indian tour there is a feeling he is best kept away from the new Dukes ball in England which is highly dangerous early but, in recent seasons, has been much more comfortable to play after 30 overs.

Australia feels that Head, a brilliant counter attacker, could be the tourists answer to England‘s swashbuckling Bazball game plan coming in down the order as the bowlers tire and the ball ages.

The bowling attack is likely to be predictable except from the final one or two pace places with Queensland swingman Michael Neser a strong chance to snare selection at age 33.

Neser, in England playing county cricket for Glamorgan, could have done no more to push his cause with a stunning Sheffield Shield season which featured 40 wickets and a batting average of 35.

Whatever he does in Australia he should improve on in England given his subtle swing and seam is so suited there.

Australia has not won a series in England since 2001 and they will have to play well to beat a revitalised England team who have risen from the deep grave of the last Ashes tour of Australia to win nine of their last 11 Tests.