(UTV | AUSTRALIA) – Aussies name unchanged squad for rest of Ashes
Josh Hazlewood will link up with teammates in Melbourne after being included in Australia’s unchanged 15-man squad for the rest of this summer’s Ashes. Hazlewood missed the day-night Test at Adelaide Oval because of a side strain. The fast bowler and captain Pat Cummins, a late scratching from the second Test because he was a close contact of a COVID-19 case, will rejoin the squad on Thursday. Hazlewood will need to prove his fitness in the MCG nets to play the Boxing Day Test, with medicos and selectors certain to take no risk with the star bowler. Michael Neser looms as the unlucky paceman to make way for Cummins, while Jhye Richardson’s selection hopes will likely hinge on Hazlewood’s recovery.
Selectors, whose squad on Monday covered the three remaining Ashes Tests in Melbourne, Sydney and Hobart, opted against adding any additional players to the group. Under-pressure opener Marcus Harris, who averages 22.19 from 12 Tests after scores of three and 23 in Adelaide, is expected to remain at the top of the order. Chairman of selectors George Bailey could yet promote Usman Khawaja at the expense of Harris. However, Bailey indicated last month he was keen to adopt a ‘pick-and-stick’ mantra this summer and give Harris a chance to nail down his spot in the XI.
Alec Bannerman is the only batter to have opened 20 times or more for Australia in a Test and produced a lower average than Harris. Aaron Finch, whose brief Test career ended when he was axed after opening alongside Harris in the 2018 Boxing Day Test, is adamant a big score is around the corner for the left-hander. “The way that he batted yesterday … his footwork was really sharp, he looked to have really good intent,” Finch told on Monday. “The pink ball is doing more as the game’s gone on, so it’s difficult conditions against a world-class bowling attack.” “But he’s a very, very good player and he’s proven that for a long time in domestic cricket.” “A lot of players have been in that situation and it’s just about finding a way to get through those small, little periods.”
Finch said opening partner David Warner could help settle Harris’ unease. “Davey is great for him because Davey’s been through form ups and downs as well,” he said. “So he’ll be able to really feed off (Warner’s) experience as well.””
Australia’s 15-man Test squad:
David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Usman Khawaja, Jhye Richardson, Michael Neser, Mitchell Swepson.