David Warner has been given a Test lifeline after the opener was included in Australia’s 17-man squad for the World Test Championship final against India in London and the first two Ashes Tests later this year.
The 36-year-old batter will tour to England for one final time after getting the nod alongside Marcus Harris and Matt Renshaw.
Having been ruled out of this year’s tour of India with a fractured elbow, there had been speculation over Warner’s immediate Test future.
Related: Ben Stokes orders ‘fast, flat’ pitches for Ashes and knows England’s starting XI
But his inclusion in the squad announced on Wednesday gives him a chance to extend his Test career, having previously hinted he will retire from red-ball cricket after the 2023 Ashes series.
Warner will likely have a chance to impress selectors in the WTC final against India at the Oval, starting on 7 June, but his inclusion in an Ashes XI will be under scrutiny, with selectors opting to also take back-up batters in Harris and Renshaw.
Harris was recalled along with Josh Inglis and Mitchell Marsh, but Cameron Bancroft – the top run scorer in last season’s Sheffield Shield – was overlooked.
Ashton Agar, Peter Handscomb, Mitchell Swepson and Matt Kuhnemann were not retained from the squad which toured India, while Lance Morris has been ruled out of the squad with injury.
“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,” chair of selectors George Bailey said.
“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.”
The first Ashes Test against England begins at Edgbaston on 16 June.
Australia: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner.
Article courtesy of
Source link
