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Ashes squad announced: Marsh gets surprise recall, Warner avoids axe but two openers included as cover

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All-rounder Mitchell Marsh has received a surprise recall for Australia’s tilt at the World Test Championship and Ashes in England while David Warner has survived the axe but selectors have included Marcus Harris and Matt Renshaw as cover for the struggling opener.

The Australian selectors on Tuesday announced a squad for the final against India at The Oval on June 7 and the first two Ashes Tests against England at Edgbaston and Lord’s.

Selectors will announce another squad for the final three Ashes fixtures depending on form and injuries as Pat Cummins’ side looks to claim the WTC trophy and retain cricket’s most famous urn during a momentous eight-week tour of the UK. 

Marsh has been dominant in the white-ball arena for Australia in recent years but has not played a Tests since his 32nd appearance in a baggy green cap on the last Ashes tour in 2019.

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Middle-order batter Peter Handscomb can feel hard done by after being dropped following an admirable performance in India recently while spinners Ashton Agar, Mitchell Swepson and Matt Kuhnemann have also made way from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad.

Mitch Marsh

(Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images)

Travis Head, after filling in as a stopgap opener in India, will return to his preferred No.5 slot.

Cameron Bancroft, who was the leading scorer by the length of the straight in the Sheffield Shield with 945 runs at 59.06, can also consider himself unlucky not to get a seat on the plane to England as an opening option, particularly given Harris managed 601 at 37.56 for Victoria.

Warner is under immense pressure to perform if, as expected, he gets the nod to partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order after a modest three-year stretch of 914 Test runs at an average of 29.48 with his double-ton at the MCG last summer his only century during his extended slump.

His India tour ended early when he suffered a fractured elbow in his third innings for the series after cobbling together a meagre 26 combined runs.

Fast bowler Lance Morris has been ruled out of the squad with a back injury while West Australian teammate Josh Inglis has been recalled as the back-up wicketkeeper to Alex Carey. 

Selection panel chairman George Bailey said: “The World Test Championship is the culmination of more than two years of consistent performance at Test level by the team and the individuals involved, leading into an Ashes series which is always highly anticipated. 

“The UK is a very different assignment from our most recent tour of India and some of the changes are based upon the conditions we are anticipating. 

“Marcus, Josh and Mitch return to the squad and provide valuable depth and flexibility within their respective skillsets. 

“We see value in revisiting the squad following the second Ashes Test given the short turnaround between the WTC final and the first Ashes Test, along with the length of the tour.” 

DELHI, INDIA - FEBRUARY 17: David Warner of Australia walks off after he was dismissed by Mohammed Shami of India during day one of the Second Test match in the series between India and Australia at Arun Jaitley Stadium on February 17, 2023 in Delhi, India. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

David Warner walks off after he was dismissed by Mohammed Shami. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Marsh was preferred ahead of younger state teammate Aaron Hardie as the back-up all-rounder to another West Australian, Cameron Green.

He only played one first-class match last summer for WA, making 108 not out while batting at No.7 in a nine-wicket win over Tasmania at the WACA Ground but he did not bowl in that match as he was on the comeback trail from an ankle injury.

Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and Josh Hazlewood are the only specialist fast bowlers chosen in the squad while off-spinner Todd Murphy has been included after his impressive first Test series in India as Nathan Lyon’s understudy.

Australia take on India in the Ultimate Test at The Oval on June 7 before locking horns with England in Birmingham on June 16.

Squad for WTC final and first two Ashes Tests: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, David Warner


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