David Warner has been handed an Ashes lifeline after being named in Australia’s squad to start the tour of England, but selectors have left themselves ample alternatives should the opener’s struggles continue in next month’s World Test Championship final.
Australia have named a 17-man party for the WTC clash with India at The Oval, which starts on June 7, as well as the first two Ashes Tests.
Warner has hinted that he will retire from red-ball cricket at the end of the summer but is under pressure following a prolonged dip in form. The 36-year-old averaged just 9.5 during the last Ashes in England four years ago and made scores of one, 10 and 15 on the recent tour to India before having his series curtailed by a fractured elbow.
The veteran will keep his place for the WTC final but his selection for the subsequent Ashes opener at Edgbaston is expected to depend upon a return to form in that match, with Marcus Harris and Matt Renshaw otherwise competing to open.
Harris has been recalled to the squad having made a fine start to the County Championship season with Gloucestershire, making 59 and 148 in their opener against Glamorgan. Renshaw, meanwhile, struggled in the middle-order in India, but scored hundreds in back-to-back matches opening the batting for Australia A against New Zealand earlier this month in a series played with the Dukes ball.
Cameron Bancroft, who opened at the start of the 2019 Ashes, has been left out despite being the top run-scorer in Sheffield Shield cricket this winter, though he is already in England playing for Somerset and could be parachuted in if need be when Australia reassess their squad ahead of the final three Tests.
Away from the openers, all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has been recalled, having not played a Test since the series finale at The Oval in 2019, as has Josh Inglis, who remains uncapped but will provide back-up to wicketkeeper Alex Carey.
Having taken a spin-heavy bowling attack to India, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Swepson and Matt Kuhnemann have all been left out, with 22-year-old Todd Murphy preferred alongside Nathan Lyon.
Australia squad for WTC final and first two Ashes Tests: 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.
