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Darren Lehmann and Australian selectors look set to bring Usman Khawaja and Ryan Harris into the team for the second Ashes Test at Lord’s, with Ed Cowan and Mitchell Starc likely to miss selection.
News Corp Australia is reporting the team line-up leak – but although reports correctly predicted David Warner’s omission from the first Test team, no one predicted the shock inclusion of Ashton Agar for Nathan Lyon.
Khawaja, 26, has played just six Tests, but has been on the fringes of selection for some time.
He was dropped after Australia lost to New Zealand in Hobart in the the first series loss to New Zealand at home in 26 years.
In 18 Tests, Cowan’s single century was 136 against South Africa in Brisbane at the start of last summer. Since then, he hasn’t been able to cement his position in the top order with a series of up-and-down innings.
There has also been speculation that captain Michael Clarke will move down to bat at five, with Phil Hughes or Khawaja to come in at four.
With Australia’s bowling stocks at highs, the tricky Lord’s ground appears to have cost the sometimes wayward Starc, with Harris included for his control and outswing.
Harris, 33, has always shown his quality at Test level, with 47 wickets in 12 Tests at an average under 24, but has struggled to put consistent consecutive Test games and series together due to a string of injuries.
Likely Second Test team: Shane Watson, Chris Rogers, Usman Khawaja, Michael Clarke (c), Steve Smith, Phil Hughes, Brad Haddin, Ashton Agar, Peter Siddle, James Pattinson, Ryan Harris.
Watch Glenn Mitchell’s preview of the second Test at Lord’s:
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