Quick picks being rewarded not rotated claim Aussie selectors

Australia’s selectors are set to unleash a new-look pace battery for the opening Ashes Test as they seek to both balance workloads and reward bowlers they feel can prosper in English conditions.

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Both of Australia’s pace spearheads Mitch Starc and Josh Hazlewood could miss the first Ashes Test with fast bowler James Pattinson set to make his international return at Edgbaston.

After confirming batsman Usman Khawaja had passed all the fitness tests required on his injured hamstring to take his place, Australian coach Justin Langer said the selection battle would turn to the bowlers.

Veteran seamer Peter Siddle is also in line to join Pattinson and Cummins in the Australian attack meaning one or both of Starc and Hazlewood won’t play when the first Test starts on Thursday.

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(L-R) James Pattinson, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle.

Langer said he was “very close” to being settled on the final Australian XI with Cameron Bancroft firming to join David Warner at the top of the order instead of Marcus Harris.

That would reunite all three players banned for their role in the sandpaper scandal, at the first possible Test opportunity.

“The opening partnership is going to be really hard. Marcus Harris and Cameron, they have both got a really strong case,” Langer said.

“Then the fast bowling spots, there are three to be fair, Starcy, Josh Hazlewood and Peter Siddle for one spot. They are three pretty good players to find a spot for.

(L-R) David Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft could be reunited for the first Test. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

“We’ll talk to the boys in the next day or so and solidify the 12 anyway so everyone is rally clear where we are at.”

Langer said Pattinson’s comeback story was a feel good one for everyone in Australian cricket.

“It’s just nice to see him back, coming back from where he was as a young bowler, the back surgery to more than likely being selected for this Test match, it’s a great story,” he said.

Langer said there would be opportunities for the bowlers who missed the first Test, but denied they were being rotated.

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“We’ll pick the best three or four for every game we play,” he said.

“Lord’s is very different to here, Old Trafford will be different. We won’t rotate them per se, but we will pick the best three, probably not four, for every game.”

Matthew Wade and Marnus Labuschagne are both in the running to bat at number six, with Wade the frontrunner to make his Test return after two years.

Originally published as Quick picks being rewarded not rotated claim Aussie selectors