Ashes squad announcement: New-look side as Aussies look to fend off Bazball assault

Australia is set to unveil a new-look squad for the Ashes campaign with an announcement on the Gold Coast today.

Chief selector George Bailey will announce the team for the first Ashes Test against England at 11am (AEST) with Steve Smith set to lead the side in the absence of Pat Cummins who has been sidelined by a back injury.

Cummins is hopeful of being available for the second Test in Brisbane on December 4 but may not be back until later in the series.

Scott Boland is set to assume Cummins’ spot in the bowling line-up with South Australian seamer Brendan Doggett at the front of the queue to be one of the quicks selected in the extended squad behind Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

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Doggett made a triumphant Sheffield Shield return from a hamstring injury last week.

The 31-year-old snared seven wickets against Western Australia, including a haul of 6-48 in the first innings, to remind national selectors of his ability.

Nathan Lyon, who was dropped for Boland in Australia’s most recent Test in the West Indies, will return as the frontline spinner.

Marnus Labuschagne looks like he will be recalled at opener alongside veteran Usman Khawaja following his red-hot form for Queensland in recent weeks.

Labuschagne enhanced his status as the form batter of the country against NSW in the one-day cup, hitting his fifth century in eight innings for Queensland to start the season.

His 101 on Monday took his summer average to 84.87 across all formats, with the 31-year-old having made changes to his grip and stance.

Sam Konstas, who struggled in the three-Test tour of the Caribbean, has been out of touch for NSW recently while Tasmanian left-hander Jake Weatherald is considered unlikely to be handed his first baggy green cap.

Josh Inglis is the frontrunner to be the spare batter in the squad ahead of Weatherald and Konstas.

Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith and Alex Carey. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

All-rounders Cameron Green and Beau Webster have shaken off their recent injury niggles and are all but certain to take their spots in the line-up.

Green is expected to bat at No.3 with Webster coming in after Smith and vice-captain Travis Head while also providing a reliable fifth bowling option.

Likely squad: Steve Smith (c), Travis Head (v-c), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett.

with AAP

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