Australia announce 17-member squad for Ashes 2019; David Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft return after one year ban
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Cricket Australia (CA) have announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming Ashes 2019 series to commence from August 1 at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham.
David Warner, Steve Smith, and opening batsman Cameron Bancroft have finally forced their way back into the squad after a humiliating one-year ban due to the infamous sandpaper incident the previous year in January.
“David Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft have forced their way back into the Test squad through the excellence of their recent performances. David and Steve also have the advantage of being proven players at Test level while Cameron has produced impressive numbers for county side Durham this season and his innings in the intra-squad match in Southampton on a tough pitch was outstanding and showed his quality”, said the Chairman of Selectors Trevor Hohns.
Hazlewood, Wade, and Pattinson back in the squad
Josh Hazlewood, who missed the Test series versus Sri Lanka and the all-important 2019 World Cup due to persistent back injury, storms back into the squad.
“Josh Hazlewood comes back after missing the Sri Lanka Test series and the ICC Cricket World Cup as he recovered from a back injury and James, Peter and Josh, plus Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Michael Neser form a strong seam attack, with all-rounder Mitchell Marsh also returning to the squad after impressing with bat and ball on the Australia A tour”, said Hohns
Also, the 31-year-old wicket-keeper batsman from Tasmania- Matthew Wade, who has been in quite some form off-late has deservedly earned his spot in the 17-member squad.
“Matthew Wade fully deserves his recall as he has made an irresistible case for inclusion through sheer weight of runs with 1021 first-class runs at home last summer followed by three hundreds on the Australia A tour, including an excellent 114 against the England Lions at Canterbury last week”, said Hohns.
Pacer James Pattinson, who last played a Test match in February 2016, also claimed for his inclusion in the squad on the back of some impressive performances for Australia ‘A’ recently.
“James Pattinson has demanded inclusion after impressing everyone on the Australia A tour with his pace and control, following on from a good season at home for Victoria, and he returns to the Test squad, as does Peter Siddle, who has been in fine form in county cricket for Essex”.
Australia pick just a lone spinner
With plenty of seam bowling options in the side, the selectors have opted for just a lone spinner in Nathan Lyon. The other option would be the wrist spinning services of Marcus Labuschagne.
“We have opted to select one frontline spinner in Nathan Lyon. We have faith in his ability, we know our strength lies in our pace attack and we have Marnus Labuschagne’s leg-spin as another spin option as he has bowled almost 200 overs for county side Glamorgan in first-class cricket this season” said the selector.
Australia have not included won an Ashes series in England since the year 2001. But, the selectors feel things can turn this time around, posing full faith in the ability of the squad they have picked.
“We have not won an Ashes series in the United Kingdom since 2001 but we are confident that this group of players can break that cycle and ensure we retain the urn that we won at home in the summer of 2017-18.”, said Trevor Hohns.
