Cricket Australia has recently announced its squad for the first two Test matches of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Test Championship and the Ashes series. The selectors declared the 17-man squad for the final of the World Test Championship and the first two Test matches of the Ashes series to be played at the Oval from June 7. The final 15-member squad for the World Test Championship final against India will be announced later. This article will provide you with all the necessary details about the recently announced squad and what changes have been made by the selectors for the upcoming tournaments.
The Squad
The 17-member squad includes Pat Cummins (captain), Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Marence Labuchin, Todd Murphy, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Marcus Harris, Josh Ingles, Nathan Line, Matt Renshaw, David Warner, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, and Mitchell Marsh. The selectors have included Matt Renshaw, Marcus Harris, and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh in the squad for the Ashes series. They could also be part of the World Test Championship final.
However, Ashton Agar, Peter Handscomb, Mitchell Siopson, and Matt Kuhneman, who toured India for the Border Gavaskar Trophy, have been dropped. The selectors have made changes keeping in mind the conditions in England. George Bailey, the chair of selectors, said that "Marcus, Josh and Mitch are back in the squad who can play a major role with their ability."
Bailey also indicated that the selection against England should be looked at in a different way compared to the tour of India. The selectors will have special eyes on David Warner, who showed the worst performance in the Ashes series played in England in 2019. In the 2019 Ashes, he scored only 95 runs in five matches at an average of 9.50. For this reason, George Bailey and head coach Andrew Macdonald stopped supporting David Warnes to give the entire Ashes.
The Schedule
The first match of the Ashes series will be played in Birmingham from June 16, followed by the second match at Lord's London on June 28, the third match at Headingley on July 6, the fourth match at Manchester on July 19, and the fifth and final match at The Oval from July 27. It should be noted that the final of the ICC World Test Championship between Australia and England will be played on June 7 at the Oval Stadium in London.
Conclusion
The recently announced squad for the first two Test matches of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Test Championship and the Ashes series by Cricket Australia includes some new faces and some who have been dropped. The selectors have made changes keeping in mind the conditions in England. They are also keeping a close eye on David Warner, who had a poor performance in the Ashes series played in England in 2019. We hope the new squad will perform well and bring victories for their team.
FAQs
Who is the captain of the Australian team for the upcoming tournaments? Pat Cummins is the captain of the Australian team for the upcoming tournaments.
Who are the new players included in the squad for the Ashes series? The new players included in the squad for the Ashes series are Matt Renshaw, Marcus Harris, and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh.
Who are the players dropped from the squad who toured India for the Border Gavaskar Trophy? Ashton Agar, Peter Handscomb, Mitchell Siopson, and Matt Kuhneman, who toured India for the Border Gavaskar trophy.