Usman Khawaja and James Pattinson will return in the first Ashes Test, while Cameron Bancroft is set to partner David Warner at the top of Australia’s order.
Cameron Bancroft is set to be recalled for the first Ashes Test, while Usman Khawaja and James Pattinson’s returns have been rubber stumped as Australia edge closer to picking an XI for Edgbaston.
Khawaja hasn’t played a game since tweaking his hamstring on July 6 during Australia’s World Cup loss to South Africa.
Pattinson hasn’t represented Australia in three and a half years because of multiple injuries, most notably a recurring back problem that prompted him to undergo major spinal surgery in 2017.
Coach Justin Langer has confirmed the Victorian paceman’s outstanding recent form, in last week’s intra-squad match and the preceding Australia A tour, will be rewarded by selectors.
Khawaja will bat at No.3, while Josh Hazlewood is favoured to win the final spot in the attack ahead of Peter Siddle and Mitchell Starc.
Finalising whether Bancroft or Marcus Harris should partner David Warner in the five-Test series opener, which starts on Thursday, proved one of the most agonising calls for Langer and on-duty selector Trevor Hohns.
It’s believed Bancroft has won the selection showdown, which would mean the Cape Town trio make simultaneous Test returns at a venue renowned for being England’s most rowdy.
“I know what the reception is going to be. I think we all do,” Langer said.
“There’s nothing we can do about it.
“He (Bancroft) is a good kid … physically he’s as tough as anyone you’ve seen in your life, mentally he’s going to have to be strong.”
Langer wouldn’t confirm Bancroft’s recall on Tuesday, opting against revealing the 12 players now under consideration for the first Test.
“We don’t want to give England all our secrets,” he said.
Selectors mulled the merits of picking Mitch Marsh on a pitch described as “rock hard” by Langer but Travis Head and Matthew Wade are expected to claim the final two spots in the middle order.
Warner, who stopped batting in the nets on Monday after being struck on the thigh, had a hit on Tuesday to allay fears he was in any doubt for the first Test.
Pattinson’s recall means Australia’s new-ball pairing of recent years, Hazlewood and Starc, won’t take the field on Thursday.
It is possible both Starc and Hazlewood will be left on the sidelines, an unthinkable prospect when they helped Australia steamroll England 4-0 during the most recent Ashes.
However, Hazlewood is firming to return from the back injury that has kept him on the sidelines since January.
“Starcy, Peter Siddle and Josh Hazlewood (are fighting) for one spot,” Langer said.
“All three are great or very, very good bowlers aren’t they?
“Usman Khawaja will definitely be in. He’s fit, ready to go, he’s playing well and he’s a seasoned pro.”
Australia brought their main session for the week forward to Monday, recognising wet weather is likely to limit time outdoors on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Cricket fan
Guest
So, how many test matches pain played for AUS until now check it out and think because AC Gilchrist was, is, will be only WK batsman in history of cricket who changed the course of the game so, please yet not pain should be considered second best because you have to prove in every conditions and I still think Carey will be a way better choice
Peter Warrington
Guest
aggressive keeper bat at 7 is crucial to success in Australia. Been 5 years since we had a successful one.
badmanners
Roar Rookie
People do improve/change Peter.
badmanners
Roar Rookie
Maybe the batsmen should take care of that?
birdhead
Roar Rookie
I rate Paine (as a glovesman) and am being a little harsh (as he has shown plenty of ticker as a bat) but since getting back into the test team his decent scores are always after the result has been decided (ie second innings). Honestly i hope he makes me look like an idiot for making these comments ! http://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Players/PlayerBatGraph2.asp?PlayerID=3725
steve
Guest
please please please DO NOT PIK starc or hazlewood for the 1st test! starc 2015 ashes in England – 6th on the averages with 18 wickets in 5 tests; tellingly at a rate of 3.85 an over – 1st test in 2015 – sprayed it and let the english off the hook with an average of 4 per over in the 1st inning sand nearly 5 in the second – his stats in the last year in tests have been poor – 9 matches and 18 wickets with one 5 wicket haul – so 13 wickets in 8 matches – very poor! hazlewood 2015 ashes in england – 4th on the bowling averages – 16 wkts in 4 tests – but i remember the first morning of the first test he looked very poor and let england again off the hook going at nearly 4 an over – his 2018 record is averaging above 33. apart from stats the issue is we don’t need pace, we need accuracy and subtle swing and seam – starc is pace and once it stops swinging he’s expensive – hazlewood is bounce – which is not a factor in england. go with siddle, cummins and pattinson PLEASE!!!!!
Peter Warrington
Guest
just for fun I youtubed the highlights of 2013 Test 1 Day 1 early this morning. Australia were hyped for their bowling. england won and batted we bowled tripe the attack: pattinson Starc Siddle all bowled utter rubbish. who do you trust to control the early narrative: ? Cummins then who? granted Patto and Starc have more experience and Siddle isn't Siddle any more apparently, he is the love child of Alderman and Fleming and Reiffel and McGrath, conceived in some 1997 hot tub group effort. Still... they are all lucky Haze, who has the better UK record, has been off the pace for so long.
Peter Warrington
Guest
yep. nobody does a dour 28 better than Paine!
Peter Warrington
Guest
because it's that - statistics. he has two 60s in his last 15 tests. batting #7.
Peter Warrington
Guest
i disagree as Hodge was the reserve and in brilliant form. they just wouldn't drop any of the established players however I will take your logic as an endorsement that Carey should be in the squad and arguably batting 7 and keeping in the test team...
AREH
Roar Guru
Glad if so because as others have alluded to, there’s risk with Starc & JPatt in the same attack as things could quickly get expensive if one or neither aren’t picking up regular wickets. May not be enough control in which case. Starc simply shouldn’t be an automatic choice in test matches where the pitch and conditions don’t suit as much, even though he’s just about the first ODI player selected. Perhaps finally, Australia are going to commence a tour of the UK by selecting an appropriate bowling attack. Maybe they have learnt. Nonetheless, Haze is a still a gamble…returns following a long injury lay off with a severe lack of red ball bowling, of which his last period was underwhelming for someone of such quality. But do they feel compelled to pick him after claiming his World Cup omission was in preparation for this?
13th Man
Roar Rookie
I think that the way the wicket is shaping up he might be, sounds like it will be quite hard so his extra bounce may be effective. Certainly not going to be an absolute green top where Siddle would be more dangerous.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Wade has a better first class average and was the far superior player to Labu last Sheffield shield. Labu has been making runs in div 2 county cricket. That's about the same standard as Grade Cricket in Perth, Sydney, Melb. Good decision.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Don't understand the Paine hate either, the guy has the 2nd best average for a keeper batsman for Australia ever behind Gilchrist and he has been doing it with the captaincy. He's doing a fantastic job.
matth
Roar Guru
Yep, I don’t love the look of the bowling with Hazlewood but otherwise ok by me
Ouch
Roar Rookie
Cummins and Pattinson opening the bowling.........awesome. Not sure if Hazelwood would be the right selection.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
It seems there are several alternate dimensions!
jameswm
Roar Guru
So based on leaks it looks like the side will be this: 1. Warner 2. Bancroft 3. Khawaja 4. Smith 5. Head 6. Wade 7. Paine 8. Pattinson 9. Cummins 10. Lyon 11. Hazlewood
U
Roar Rookie
Hazlewood will be carted around the field. Big mistake to pick him
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
He played some very strong rearguard innings. I'd say the absolute opposite about his batting, Birdy.