Australia’s selectors have announced the first Ashes Test squad of 12 to take on England at the Gabba on November 21.
Chairman of selectors John Inverarity announced the selections at the new National Cricket Centre in Brisbane, after a short delay due a late plane arrival.
George Bailey has been favoured over Alex Doolan for the middle order and is set to make his debut, while Mitchell Johnson replaces Mitchell Starc from the previous Ashes series, with Starc out due to injury.
Shane Watson is in the squad, despite a hamstring injury concern which may prevent him from bowling many overs in the first Test. With nine days to the Ashes, Watson may make a full recover.
James Faulkner retains his spot in the squad from The Oval, and is the most likely 12th-man for Australia.
“We have settled on a strong 12-player squad for the opening Test of this important series,” said Inverarity in his comments regarding the squad.
“Ten players who represented Australia in its most recent Test match, which was at the Oval in August, have been retained in this squad. Mitchell Starc is unavailable due to injury and he has been replaced by Mitchell Johnson.
“We have included George Bailey in this line-up and are excited by what he can offer at Test level. George has shown outstanding international form over the past 20 months, including the recent limited-overs series in India. He is calm and composed and comes into the squad full of confidence.
“Mitchell Johnson has been bowling impressively in recent times. He has good rhythm and is generating good pace.
“James Faulkner has retained his place in the squad and his all-round development over the past five months has been most noticeable and pleasing.
“As selectors we are confident that this squad will provide options for a well-balanced XI that will acquit itself very well in Brisbane,” said Inverarity.
Some players not involved in Sheffield Shield matches, including Clarke, Siddle, Harris and Johnson will arrive at the National Cricket Centre later this week.
Australia’s squad to take on England in the first Test of the Ashes series at the Gabba, commencing November 21
Chris Rogers
David Warner
Shane Watson
Michael Clarke (c)
Steve Smith
George Bailey
Brad Haddin (vc)
Peter Siddle
Ryan Harris
Mitchell Johnson
Nathan Lyon
James Faulkner
Mark
Guest
What was that Brad?
Mark
Guest
Hehehehe
Brad Middleton
Guest
Nathan Lyon the dud of the decade what a joke if we rely on him to take wickets god help australian cricket my grandmother could spank him all over the park for 6 Maxwell for me just shows how desperate and depleted our spin bowlers are
Simon
Guest
Don't know if sent ok.my team(worries bowler or not:Warner,Watson,Clarke,Bailey,Smith,Hughes,Wade,Faulkner,Harris,Siddle,Hilffenhouse:12th S.Marsh. Smith has to bowl his leggies. Any agree or not?
Simon
Guest
Sorry but couldn't disagree more,my team(wotto bowling or not) in bat order Warner.Watson,Clarke,Bailey,Smith,Hughes,Wade,Faulkner,Johnson,Siddle,Hilffenhouse.12th S.Marsh. For the gabba,any agree or not
Simon
Guest
I reckon hilffenhouse is a genuine swing bowler. When the conditions aren't good for his swingers I agree he looks pedestrian,BUT with an overcast day,wind into his right shoulder he's a real chance against bell,trott,root,pietersen and prior(1,2,3slips,gully and point[cover+wicky too). He must be %100 fit but he's variety to the run up bang in of Harris,Johno+ Co. I umpire Sat arvos and the gentle Outswinger(135~145kms 'gentle') first change bowler does the job so often. Bell's wkt so important and hilfys my darkhorse
Roger
Guest
I think it would make more sense to make Brisbane and Adelaide roads, try and get out of the next three weeks unscathed at 0-0 and hopefully welcome back a fit watson, pattinson and bird and go for the jugular in the last three tests. Particularly given we play well at the WACA if we can go 1-0 up there gives us a huge edge with two tests to go.
JohnB
Guest
JohnB
Guest
FOS - actually 2 Qlders - Johnson and Watson. Plus one currently playing for Qld, Harris. You seem to be suggesting the team should be picked with an eye to boosting the crowd by adding in some locals? Not sure if you would really want that! Shouldn't they just pick what they think is the best team to win the match?
JimmyB
Guest
Robbo, it's not that surprising that you wouldn't watch England play if they weren't playing Australia. There's been a suggestion on this thread that there's not enough Queenslanders selected given that it's at the Gabba. You guys can be a very insular bunch.
JimmyB
Guest
Finally after all the conjecture, we have the Aussie squad. No real surprises at all and it looks a decent team to me. Can't wait for the talking to stop and the cricket to begin, bring it on!
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Watto 100% deserves to play even as a specialist batsman based on his great record in Ashes Tests. When you've scored 1100 runs at 46 vs England you are a walk up start.
Justin3
Guest
glad to hear the dressing room is where he will contribute. pity he is about average our below in anything over 50 overs
JohnB
Guest
James, he was very good 2 years ago, and consistently solid/good 4 to 8 years ago. Where he's made his Shield runs, and who against, adds to the concerns that his recent wonderful burst of form has been in ODIs on very flat pitches, meaning we're involved in an apples and oranges exercise in assessing him as a potential test player. Like most people, I've hardly or never seen him play FC cricket (and probably wouldn't really be qualified to make an assessment if I had). That makes me fall back on the stats, and comments from those qualified to judge (Ian Chappell being the obvious one). The selectors seem to think differently. Generally I think they're less criminally insane than the average Roarer would rate them, and not totally clueless regarding cricket, so let's hope they're correct and good luck to GB if he makes his debut. I'd be very happy to be shown to be wrong in expressing these doubts. Fair to say there isn't a lay down misere alternative who's been absolutely dudded by Bailey's selection. Plenty of alternative candidates, but pros and cons for each of them. I'd probably have gone for Khawaja but not terribly emphatically.
Peter
Roar Rookie
What's interesting this time round is there are really no surprises and there's just not that much to say. We've all known what the 11 was going to be for some time now. Which is maybe a good thing.We'll be well and truly talked out by the time the first test starts.
Spooky
Guest
Whats wrong with the Pretenders, I was always a Chrissie Hind fan
CoverPoint
Guest
You said it. The scheduling does not help either.
Steve Turner
Guest
The first test team has been announced. My thoughts are, one sec, just heard Eng are $2.50 to win the first test, i be back after i take that Ok First of all. Never in my life have i known a test team to include 3 all rounders, the 3rd best keeper and a Captain nobody likes. And they give odds of $2.50 for England. Wow George Bailey is NOT the answer. His white cricket form is awful, and has always been. Watson (all rounder) and Smith (all rounder) are seriously robbing genuine batsman like Voges, Marsh, Doolan, Burns, and Ferguson to name just a few. With this team, i see carnage. With fair weather, England should account for this lot without much trouble. Sad, but we should make a tidy few $$$$
twodogs
Guest
Good stats man. MJ is great when he's 'on'. He's been on all this year. Hopeful he can see it out and bust a few knuckles.
James
Guest
so he was good 2-5 years ago.