3 minute read
A rundown of Australia's 17-man squad for the five-Test Ashes series against England.
AUSTRALIA'S 17-MAN ASHES SQUAD
DAVID WARNER
Age: 32
Tests: 74, Ashes Tests: 18
Playing role: Left-handed batsman
Test batting average: 48.20, Ashes batting average: 49.03
Scored 647 runs during the World Cup, one short of the tournament's leading run scorer. Likely to cop plenty more boos as he returns to the Test arena for the first time since the ball-tampering saga.
MARCUS HARRIS
Age: 27
Tests: 6, Ashes Tests: 0
Playing role: Left-handed batsman
Test batting average: 32.70, Ashes batting average: N/A
Locked in an intriguing battle with Cameron Bancroft to partner Warner at the top of the order. The incumbent scored six and 15 during the recent intra-squad match.
CAMERON BANCROFT
Age: 26
Tests: 8, Ashes Tests: 5
Playing role: Right-handed batsman
Test batting average: 30.92, Ashes batting average: 25.57
Found form captaining Durham in county cricket then demanded selection with a match-winning 93 not out in Southampton. The final member of the Cape Town trio to return to the national set up.
USMAN KHAWAJA
Age: 32
Tests: 41, Ashes Tests: 9
Playing role: Left-handed batsman
Test batting average: 42.53, Ashes batting average: 33.66
Failed to play last week's intra-squad match because of the hamstring injury he suffered on July 6. Remains in doubt for the first Test but Tim Paine expects he'll be available.
STEVE SMITH
Age: 30
Tests: 64, Ashes Tests: 23
Playing role: Right-handed batsman
Test batting average: 61.37, Ashes batting average: 56.27
Arguably the most important player in Australia's bid to retain the urn. Scored a stack of runs during the 2015 series in England and the 2017-18 series in Australia.
TRAVIS HEAD
Age: 25
Tests: 8, Ashes Tests: 0
Playing role: Left-handed batsman
Test batting average: 51, Ashes batting average: N/A
One of two vice-captains in the touring party, underlining how highly he is regarded by selectors. Scored a total of one run in the intra-squad match but prior to that produced an unbeaten ton for Australia A.
MATTHEW WADE
Age: 31
Tests: 22, Ashes Tests: 0
Playing role: Left-handed batsman
Test batting average: 28.58, Ashes batting average: N/A
Dropped the gloves and reinvented himself as a specialist batsman after being axed in 2017. Considered the frontrunner to bat at No.6 in the series opener.
MITCH MARSH
Age: 27
Tests: 31, Ashes Tests: 6
Playing role: Allrounder (right-handed batsman, right-arm paceman)
Test batting average: 25.39, Ashes batting average: 52.57
Test bowling average: 43.91, Ashes bowling average: 35.12
Named vice-captain last year then was axed from both the one-day and Test teams. Reclaimed his status as the nation's premier allrounder by impressing selectors on Australia A's tour of England.
MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE
Age: 25
Tests: 5, Ashes Tests: 0
Playing role: Right-handed batsman
Test batting average: 26.25, Ashes batting average: N/A
Breezed past 1,000 county runs during a productive stint with Glamorgan. The aspiring legspinner also bowled plenty of overs during those games, part of the reason he was retained in the squad.
TIM PAINE (capt)
Age: 34
Tests: 21, Ashes Tests: 5
Playing role: Right-handed wicketkeeper-batsman
Test batting average: 35.14, Ashes batting average: 48
Proof of how quickly things can change, having been a left-field selection bombshell when recalled for the 2017-18 Ashes. Australia's Ashes drought in England, dating back to 2001, suggests this is the greatest challenge of his captaincy.
PAT CUMMINS
Age: 26
Tests: 20, Ashes Tests: 5
Playing role: Right-arm paceman
Test bowling average: 22.02, Ashes bowling average: 24.65
Once renowned as an injury-prone bowler of great potential but is now the most resilient and potent member of Australia's pace attack. Warmed up for the first Test with a five-wicket haul in Southampton last week.
MITCHELL STARC
Age: 29
Tests: 51, Ashes Tests: 12
Playing role: Left-arm paceman
Test bowling average: 28.20, Ashes bowling average: 27.92
Recently claimed 27 wickets to break Glenn McGrath's record for most wickets in a single World Cup. Sent for scans of his knee after an injury scare last week but was quickly cleared to resume bowling.
NATHAN LYON
Age: 31
Tests: 86, Ashes Tests: 18
Playing role: Right-arm offbreak bowler
Test bowling average: 32.24, Ashes bowling average: 29.64
The sole recognised spinner in the squad. Flown under the radar compared to the 2017-18 Ashes series, which started with a declaration he wanted Australia to "end the careers" of some Englishmen.
JOSH HAZLEWOOD
Age: 28
Tests: 44, Ashes Tests: 9
Playing role: Right-arm paceman
Test bowling average: 27.14, Ashes bowling average: 25.83
On the comeback trail from a back injury. Returned during the recent Australia A tour of England, having set himself for the Ashes since being left out of the World Cup squad.
JAMES PATTINSON
Age: 29
Tests: 17, Ashes Tests: 2
Playing role: Right-arm paceman
Test bowling average: 26.15, Ashes bowling average: 43.85
Has been through injury hell since breaking down on Australia's 2013 Ashes tour. Expected to be recalled for the first Test.
PETER SIDDLE
Age: 34
Tests: 64, Ashes Tests: 21
Playing role: Right-arm paceman
Test bowling average: 30.28, Ashes bowling average: 28.63
The oldest member of the touring party is embarking on his fourth Ashes tour. Was overlooked during the home summer but should be more suited to English conditions.
MICHAEL NESER
Age: 29
Tests: 0, Ashes Tests: 0
Playing role: Right-arm paceman
Test bowling average: N/A, Ashes bowling average: N/A
Expected to be on drinks duty throughout the series but could yet make his Test debut. Has excelled with the Dukes ball in the Sheffield Shield and proved a handful with the new ball in Southampton last week.
