- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Australian cricket selectors have named an extended 17 man Ashes squad today, surprising many who expected the final squad to be named this morning. Andrew Hilditch said it was prudent to wait until the round of Shield games are completed as well as the Australia A game before announcing the Ashes squad.
The selectors met on Sunday to choose their squad for the first Test against England, with indecision resulting in 17 cricketers being named for the Gabba clash starting on November 25.
Vice captain Michael Clarke has been included despite a worrying recurrence of his back injury, while Doug Bollinger was picked on the strength of bowling 10 overs in grade cricket after his stomach strain injury.
Opening batsman Simon Katich (thumb) has been named after batting for the first time in six weeks in grade ranks on Sunday, albeit for 94 runs.
The four-man selection panel chaired by Andrew Hilditch resisted calls for generational change and retained ageing batsmen Mike Hussey and Marcus North.
England captain Andrew Strauss has seized on the conjecture surrounding the Australian team, saying it will work in the tourists’ favour.
“Everyone likes stability and security and knowing where they stand,” Strauss said before his visitors departed for Hobart and their last warm-up game against Australia A starting on Wednesday.
“And in Australia’s case, that is not the case – then that could be a good thing for us.”
Clarke’s long-time back injury flared when batting for NSW in their Sheffield Shield game against Victoria, preventing him fielding the next day.
The Test linchpin batted at number eight on Sunday in obvious discomfort.
Katich and Bollinger will play for the Blues against Tasmania in a shield game starting Wednesday.
Bollinger’s return will decide his short-term Ashes fate, with the left-arm quick to be named in the squad amid fast bowling uncertainty.
Searching for form, paceman Mitchell Johnson bowled 11 wides in a lively 10 over spell of 1-24 in grade cricket in WA on Saturday.
Queenslander Ryan Harris charged into first Test contention with a nine wicket return in Tasmania – but much will depend how he pulled up from his initial first class outing in six months following knee surgery.
His Bulls captain James Hope had no doubt Harris should be picked against the Poms.
“I think he’s in the best four bowlers in the country,” Hopes said.
“I’ve always said that and when he’s going flat out, (Ben) Hilfenhaus-Harris sounds like a pretty good opening bowling combination for the first Test.”
Hilfenhaus and Johnson are certain to lead the bowling brigade, with Harris and Victorian Peter Siddle vying for the third paceman’s spot.
Offspinner Nathan Hauritz is also nervously awaiting the final selection announcement after a lean Indian tour and uninspiring returns since returning to Australia.
Hauritz’s struggles may have prompted selectors to include legspinner Steve Smith, who will get a chance to further his claims when playing for Australia A against England in Hobart from Wednesday.
The Australian Ashes squad:
Seventeen-man Australian cricket squad named on Monday for the first Ashes Test against England at the Gabba, starting on Thursday week:-
Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke (vice-capt), Shane Watson, Simon Katich, Callum Ferguson, Mike Hussey, Marcus North, Usman Khawaja, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Steve Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus, Doug Bollinger, Ryan Harris, Xavier Doherty.
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.