Australia Squad Ashes: Wade dropped, Khawaja, Richardson recalled

The Ashes 2021- Australia Squad Announced: As expected, Australian selectors have ignored claims of T20 World Cup heroes Matthew Wade & Mitchell Marsh as they named 15 member squad to take on England. Usman Khawaja’s brilliant domestic cricket form has won him a place in the Ashes squad – Follow all LIVE Updates from iconic Ashes Series with InsideSport.in

Tim Paine will lead the Ashes team despite not having played a game this season due to recent neck surgery, although he is expected to turn out in Premier Cricket in Hobart this weekend followed by a four-day second XI match for Tasmania against South Australia days later.

Also Read: The Ashes 2021: Jos Buttler taking inspiration from Rishabh Pant to conquer fortress Gabba ahead of Ashes challenge

The Ashes 2021: Jos Buttler, Bairstow & other England cricketer reaches…

Australia Squad Ashes: T20 World Cup hero Matthew Wade dropped, Usman Khawaja, Jhye Richardson named in Australia’s squad for the ASHES

The Ashes 2021- Australia Squad Announced: Matthew Wade’s Test axing has been confirmed. Selectors named the squad on Wednesday along with an Australia A XI who will have the chance to impress during an internal three-day trial in Brisbane, starting December 1, and against England Lions on December 9.

Mitchell Marsh missed out on Ashes selection but has been named in the Australia A team after his stunning T20 World Cup campaign.

While it means he’s unlikely to feature in the first Test on December 8, he still has the opportunity to make a late push from the outside.

The Ashes 2021: Usman Khawaja, Jhye Richardson recalled in Australia’s Ashes squad

Khawaja vs Head? Khawaja and Head are vying for the middle-order role vacated by Matthew Wade in a squad that confirms Marcus Harris as David Warner’s opening partner and leggie Mitchell Swepson as back-up spinner alongside five pace bowlers and allrounder Cameron Green.

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

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

The Queensland captain – the leading domestic first-class runs scorer for the current season – last played Test cricket during the 2019 Ashes series in the UK, as did T20 World Cup hero Mitchell Marsh, who was included in an 11-man Australia A squad also named today.

The National Selection Panel has named a 15-player squad for the first two matches of the Vodafone Men’s #Ashes Series against England!

Tickets: https://t.co/yhYqPqaGFD pic.twitter.com/rDynzKb7rW

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) November 17, 2021

Also Read: Ashes 2021: Nathan Lyon’s BIGGEST wish, ‘Want to be part of Australia team that can win a Test series in India’

The Ashes 2021: Usman Khawaja, Jhye Richardson recalled in Australia’s Ashes squad

The first two Tests of the series will be played at the Gabba from December 8-12 and a pink-ball day-night Test at Adelaide Oval from December 16-20.

“This group is well balanced to ensure we are prepared for the many challenges of an Ashes Series,” Chairman of Selection committee George Bailey said today.

“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.”

Meanwhile, former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting reacted to the inclusion of Usman Khawaja for the first two Tests.

“I was actually a bit surprised that they named the two (Khawaja and Head). If they haven’t made a decision on it yet, I’m not sure how much clearer it’s going to get over the next period of time,” cricket.com.au quoted Ponting as saying.

“I’m rapt for Khawaja. I’ve been on record a few times that even when he got left out, I still felt he was in Australia’s top six batters. Just reading between the lines, it would seem strange to go back to someone like him and not play him,” he added.

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

Vodafone Men’s Ashes v England

Tour Matches

Nov 23-25: England v England Lions, Brisbane

Nov 30 – Dec 3: England v England Lions, Brisbane

Dec 1-3: Australian intra-squad match, Brisbane

Dec 9-12: Australia A v England Lions, Brisbane

Tests

First Test: December 8-12, The Gabba

Second Test: December 16-20, Adelaide Oval

Third Test: December 26-30, MCG

Fourth Test: January 5-9, SCG

Fifth Test: January 14-18, Perth Stadium