Cameron Bancroft, David Warner and Steve Smith will be reunited on the cricket field in an Ashes trial match for the first time since the ball-tampering saga.
Cameron Bancroft will re-enter the Australian set up for the first time since the ball-tampering scandal after being named for the unofficial Ashes selection trial.
Bancroft was one of 25 players listed for the all-Australia match at Southampton on July 23, just eight days out from the first Test.
Selectors will use the match as a final guide for who to pick in a 16-man squad, before naming the group the day after.
Bancroft will be joined by incumbent Marnus Labuschagne, after both weren’t part of the Australia A tour but have plundered the runs in county cricket.
But there was no room for one-day captain Aaron Finch after his strong World Cup, nor battling allrounders Marcus Stoinis or Glenn Maxwell.
Opener Matt Renshaw has also been left out, after forming part of Australia’s extended squad for the home series against Sri Lanka last summer.
Instead, Bancroft has forced his way in as the fourth opening option after averaging 49.55 in Sheffield Shield and County cricket since his ban ended in December.
It means the match will mark the first time that the trio of Bancroft, David Warner and Steve Smith will all be on the field together since the dramatic Test in Cape Town last year.
“He’s got on with business since he’s been able to play again,” chief selector Trevor Hohns said.
“He’s playing with Durham in the County Championship, so he is doing all he can to get himself back into consideration and back into the Australian squad.
“He is scoring runs on a regular basis.”
“Even going back further, Cameron was making a fair amount of headway when he last played Test cricket for Australia … he was our leading run-scorer in South Africa.”
Bancroft’s inclusion means the battle is down to he, Joe Burns and Marcus Harris to partner David Warner at the top at Edgbaston.
Alex Carey has also been called in following his bumper World Cup, giving him a further chance to place pressure on Matthew Wade as back-up wicketkeeper.
The left-hander could also join the battle for the No.6 position, alongside five others.
Meanwhile, quick Chris Tremain will fight for a bowling spot on the tour.
James Pattinson is expected to join the frontline pace trio, while Jhye Richardson should overcome a shoulder injury by the second Test.
Jon Holland also looks set to be picked in the main squad as back up for Nathan Lyon, as Hohns indicated they’d likely take two spinners, two wicketkeepers and five quicks.
“There are still some positions up for grabs. It won’t just come down to this game either,” Hohns said.
“We have home history to go on and what’s happening here with Australia A.
“But we need to make sure we are picking blokes that are performing in English conditions.”
Australia 25-man squad
Cameron Bancroft, Jackson Bird, Joe Burns, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Michael Neser, Tim Paine, Kurtis Patterson, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Peter Siddle, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Chris Tremain, Matthew Wade, David Warner.
AREH
Roar Guru
Probably yep. Either Holland squeezes into the squad or they simply bank on Lyon's durability remaining as it has. In the event of a sudden mishap on say the morning of a test, I shudder at the thought of them playing Labuschagne based on his bowling. Full pace battery all the way.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Even when it was a squad of 17 there was only 5 quicks if I recall Are they dropping a batsmen or a keeper to go from 17 to 16? I am assuming Holland is going to get picked based on what I have read.
Tom
Guest
Trevor Bayliss pretty confirmed he will open
AREH
Roar Guru
He hasn't, you're spot on, but I think they'll back him. Doesn't even open for Surrey often, yet with a dearth of options in the position, and with Roy's reasonable first class record, I can see them taking the punt in the hope his dangerous stroke-play can translate. Perhaps in a similar vein to what Warner was able to do.
AREH
Roar Guru
Just about as you'd expect for a 25-man squad. Struggling to think of any not there who should be; that is of course, excluding Jhye with the injury cloud.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Australia are only picking 16 players in their Ashes squad, not 17 as they did last time, so there will only be room for 5 quicks. The Big Three will be there for sure and Pattinson seems like a lock if fit. That leaves the last spot as quite possibly Siddle v Jhye, unless the likes of Bird, Tremain or Neser pull something out of the bag in the final two Australia A games.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Roy has never played a Test has he? I don't think he is even going to be considered.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I am sure he will be, there is reports he won't be available till the second test.
Jules
Roar Rookie
Does this mean that Jhye Richardson isn't going to be named in the final Ashes sqaud? That would be a great shame.
Tom
Guest
He wouldn't have played if Renshaw didn't get hurt in the warm up match. He made the squad because along with Head one as he was one of the best in the A tour in India just before the UAE tests. He was in the A squad on the back of been the 2nd highest shield scorer in 2017/18. Sort of made sense if you break it down like that. Obviously would never have been considered had it not been for the 3 cheats been banned.
U
Roar Rookie
I’d have a specialist spinner in that England team. Probably Jack Leach
Paul
Roar Guru
To this day, I still don't get Labuschagne's selection last year. More to the point, I'm not sure the selectors do either. I got a sense they were desperate and picked on anyone who could bat and bowl in their on-going search for an all-rounder.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I wouldn't have Labuschagne in the team, despite his County runs. I was more so observing the selectors approach/justification last summer to his inclusion
Paul
Roar Guru
Jeff, I can only see Holland or Labuschagne getting a game if Lyon is injured, in which case Australia would probably have to completely rethink it's bowling strategy. I think either/both could make the squad and the selectors are probably leaning towards Bennett, IMO, bit agin only if Lyon gets hurt. Neither of the guys mentioned have been a great hit in Tests with the ball to date, so do the Aussies go with 4 quicks, given the number who are both fit and bowling well? They'd still have Steve Smith, who's not the worst at Test level, to bowl the odd leggie.
Nudge
Roar Rookie
We are going to need to be at our best. If Joe Root does the right thing by his team he will move to 3 and the team could look like this Jennings/ Burns Roy Root Bairstow Stokes Butler Moeen Woakes Archer Broad Anderson That’s a strong team, even with suspect openers and 3,4,5 all probably batting 1 spot to high Geez Archer makes a massive difference to the look of their team. One thing he does need to do is learn the national anthem. I don’t think he knew at the start whether it was Australia’s anthem or England’s in the semi. Was watching it with a few mates and we got a great laugh
Jeff
Roar Rookie
It seemed to be the thinking with the selection of Lab last summer - I recall team management comments about this when picking him. I think it was because of his performance in the UAE v Pakistan: - Seven wickets at 22 v Holland 4 at 75.
Nudge
Roar Rookie
I can’t imagine Labuschagne being in the squad as a second spinner. Can you imagine if Lyon did get injured and Labuschagne came in as the spinner what England would plan to do to him. They’d target him big time forcing Paine to go back to the 3 quicks. That could derail the whole ashes if 3 of Hazlewood, Starc, Pattinson or Cummins had to bowl 40 plus overs in an innings. It sounds like Holland will be in the final squad, but worst case scenario and Lyon did get injured, if the conditions suited I reckon they’d just go with the four quicks
Jeff
Roar Rookie
They may be wanting Labuschagne to compliment Lyon. The only other spinner they have in the squad is Holland. They may want to keep the 16 man squad filled with pace/batting and maybe back-up keeper options rather than having Holland taking up a spot?
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I wonder how much this game will be treated as a true shootout, or whether the selectors have already made their minds up.
Paul
Roar Guru
I mix him and Bancroft up al the time Tom. No idea why - must be old age I guess.