Ashes: Usman Khawaja could play his first Test since 2019 after being included in Australia’s squad to face England

The Ashes squad is picked and now the battle is on for at least a couple of batters to earn selection for the first Test, with a super-sized second team also named.

Usman Khawaja celebrates reaching 100. Picture: Evan Morgan

The “calm, consistent and experienced component” veteran batter Usman Khawaja brings was key in his inclusion in a 15-man Australian squad picked for the first two Ashes Tests.

Khawaja, spinner Mitchell Swepson and comeback fast bowler Jhye Richardson headline the new inclusions to the squad, which selection chairman George Bailey said would be reassessed after the first two clashes with England.

Travis Head has retained his spot in the squad and is set to go head-to-head with Khawaja for a place in the middle order after Marcus Harris was given the nod as opener.

World Cup hero Mitch Marsh was included in an 11-man Australia A squad, with all players set to push their case for selection for the third Ashes Test and beyond.

Khawaja, 34, played the last of his 44 Tests in the unforgettable Ashes clash at Headingley in 2019 and has crushed back-to-back centuries for Queensland already this Sheffield Shield season to stamp his class.

Bailey said Khawaja was in “great touch” and a proven run scorer at Test level.

“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,” he said.

“After an extended break between Test matches, we are looking to build a strong squad mentality across what is an incredibly exciting summer of cricket.

“This group is well balanced to ensure we are prepared for the many challenges of an Ashes series. It has a mix of experienced, proven performers and emerging, developing talent.

“We will take this 15-player squad into the opening Test in Brisbane and the pink ball match in Adelaide, after which we can reassess for the remaining matches.”

Travis Head is back in Ashes contention. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Bailey said Harris and Head had reinforced their most recent selection on the South African tour, while Richardson’s focus on longer form cricket had paid dividends for the West Australian fast bowler.

“Jhye is seeing the rewards of concentrating on his red-ball cricket in the build-up to this series. We know he has an exceptional skill set and are excited about what he brings to the team now his body is back on track,” he said.

“Marcus has been a consistent run scorer domestically and had a strong winter further developing his game with Leicestershire. He is a good player who will be looking to build a strong partnership with David Warner at the top of the order.

“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.”

Former Test captain Steve Waugh said Head “deserves a chance” in the middle order after being in and out of the team over recent series.

Fast bowler Michael Neser has returned to training following a minor hamstring strain and retained his place in the squad. Neser has been part of the Test squads for a number of series and continues to lead the Queensland attack with strong domestic performances.

Squad members from the victorious T20 World Cup campaign have returned to the Gold Coast and will be joined by their teammates soon.

Matthew Wade was the only member of the last Test side not to be included in either squad but had already declared his “ship had sailed” when it came to wearing a barry green cap again despite still playing white-ball cricket for Australia.

Test batter Cameron Green will play a big role in the Ashes. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Australia has not played a Test match since the series-ending loss to India at the Gabba in January, and captain Tim Paine is yet to play his first game of cricket since April having undergone serious next surgery in September.

Paine will make his playing return for his club side in Tasmania this weekend before heading to Brisbane to join the squad.

The first red-ball exposure for the bulk of the Test squad will be in a three-day centre-wicket practice session between the main Ashes squad and the extended group starting on December 1.

Those secondary players will then go on to represent Australia A in a four-day match against England Lions, also in Brisbane.

South Australian opener Henry Hunt and Alex Carey, Victoria’s Nic Maddinson and Scott Boland and Queenslanders Matt Renshaw, Mark Steketee and Bryce Street are among those in the secondary group, along with WA’s Josh Inglis and Ashton Agar.

Despite his bold showing, and growing support for a Test recall, it would have been hard for Marsh to displace incumbent Cameron Green, who has a first-class average of 54 and impressed in his four Tests last summer.

“I think I’ll play the three-day game and hopefully the Australia A game to play a bit of red-ball cricket,” Marsh said after his player-of-the-match performance in Dubai.

“But then I imagine I‘ll be back to the Scorchers for the Big Bash and trying to slog a few.”

Bailey this week expressed caution in picking players based on their performances in another format.

Redbacks opener Hunt, is coming off back-to-back Sheffield Shield hundreds for South Australia and sits third on the runs list with 340 at 56.66.

THE SQUADS

Australia:

Tim Paine (c), Pat Cummins (vc), Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

Additional Australia A players:

Sean Abbott (NSW), Ashton Agar (WA), Scott Boland (VIC), Alex Carey (SA), Henry Hunt (SA), Josh Inglis (WA), Nic Maddinson (VIC),

Mitchell Marsh (WA), Matt Renshaw (QLD), Mark Steketee (QLD), Bryce Street (QLD)