Australia names 17-man Ashes squad
Australia’s 17-man squad for the upcoming Ashes series will provide their struggling middle order and current first-choice spinner with plenty of competition for their places in the playing XI.
Young leg-spinner Steven Smith (who made his Test debut against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758, will provide Hauritz with competition for his place in the team.
“Nathan Hauritz has performed exceptionally well over the past 12 months for Australia and one of the biggest decisions we will need to make is whether we go into the first Test in Brisbane with a right-arm off spinner or with the variation of a left-arm orthodox bowler,” said Australia’s chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch in a statement.
“Xavier Doherty has been very impressive in both limited overs and first-class cricket, in particular last season and the start of this season, and it will be a great opportunity for us to observe both of the spinning options in the Sheffield Shield clash between http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Tasmania-c854 at the SCG this week.”
Smith will have another chance to state his case for an Ashes berth when England take on Australia A in their final warm-up match before heading to the Gabba for the first Test, which begins on November 25th.
“http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Australia-c844 respectively and richly deserve the opportunity to be considered for selection in this first Test side,” Hilditch said.
Especially with Michael Hussey finding runs hard to come by in recent times, and fellow middle order batsman Marcus North employing a feast or famine brand of batting.
Perhaps the biggest surprise omission from the extended squad is Phil Hughes, who has paid the price for his Sheffield Shield form.
Ryan Harris, however, who is returning from chronic knee problems, has been named in the squad, his nine wickets for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Queensland-c834 in the Sheffield Shield match between the Bulls and Tasmania aiding his push for an Ashes place.
However, there are still question marks over the 31-year-old, with Hilditch saying that Harris will miss this week’s Sheffield Shield matches and Australia A’s outing in Tasmania, with his availability for the Brisbane Test to be decided later this week.
Opener Simon Katich (thumb) and fast bowler Doug Bollinger (abdominal injury) have emerged unscathed from grade matches on the weekend and will play in the Sheffield Shield this week, while Test vice-captain Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 is expected to recover from back stiffness in time for the Brisbane Test.
The 17-player squad will be reduced to a 12 or 13-man squad after the next round of Sheffield Shield games, before the team arrives in Brisbane for the first Test.
The 17-man Ashes squad named by Australia’s selection is: Ricky Ponting (c), Michael Clarke (vc), Doug Bollinger, Xavier Doherty, Callum Ferguson, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Nathan Hauritz, Mike Hussey, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Usman Khawaja, Marcus North, Peter Siddle, Steven Smith, and Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326.
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