Australia announces 15-player Test squad for Ashes series

The heroes of Australia’s World Cup campaign have been omitted as Usman Khawaja makes his long-awaited return to the Test side.

Usman Khawaja, Jhye Richardson and Travis Head are in line for an Ashes berth.

Australia has unveiled a 15-player squad for the first two Tests of the upcoming Ashes series, with Queensland batter Usman Khawaja recalled to the national squad for the first time since 2019.

Khawaja and Travis Head will seemingly be competing for the coveted No. 5 spot after national selector George Bailey hinted that Victoria’s Marcus Harris would open the batting alongside David Warner.

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T20 World Cup heroes Mitchell Marsh and Matthew Wade have both been excluded from the Test squad despite calls for their shock return following Monday morning’s triumph.

Pace bowlers Sean Abbott and Mark Steketee, who have both impressed during the Sheffield Shield, were also unlucky to miss out after featuring in the Test squad that was supposed to tour South Africa earlier this year before Covid intervened.

Queensland’s Mitchell Swepson has been included as the reserve spin bowler, while Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser will accompany Australia’s star trio of pacemen.

“This group is well balanced to ensure we are prepared for the many challenges of an Ashes Series,” Bailey said on Wednesday.

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

“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.”

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

Usman Khawaja has not represented Australia since 2019. Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images

Harris is the incumbent opener, and is hoping to prove his credentials after Victorian teammate Will Pucovski was ruled out of the Brisbane Test because of the ongoing effects of yet another concussion.

Head opened his Sheffield Shield season with 163 but has managed just one half-century in his five first-class innings since, while Khawaja has scored two tons and one fifty in six digs this season, including a brilliant 70 on a green seamer in Brisbane against Western Australia.

Young all-rounder Cameron Green is expected to keep his place at No. 6 with David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith the other locks in the batting line-up.

Tim Paine will captain the side while Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are expected to form the bowling quartet.

As well as the first Test squad, selectors have also named an additional Australia A squad that will play against the England Lions in December.

The two Aussie squads will take part in a three-day practice match in Brisbane starting on December 1.

The first Ashes Test is scheduled to get underway on Wednesday, December 8 at the Gabba.

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