Australia have revealed their playing XI on the eve of the first Ashes Test to be played at the Gabba in Brisbane. Chadd Sayers and Jackson Bird are the two members of the 13-member squad who will miss the opening game of the series.
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This means that Mitchell Starc will spearhead the pace attack with Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins as his partners. It was already expected that both Sayers and Bird would warm bench as they were called in as reserves for the three quicks which Australia have. Nathan Lyon will be the lone spinner in the side with Steven Smith assisting him as well.
David Warner will open the innings along with his new partner Cameron Bancroft, who replaced Matt Renshaw for the opening position. Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Peter Handscomb, Tim Paine, Shaun Marsh will follow the opening pair followed by the Aussie bowling line-up.
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The selection of both Tim Paine and Shaun Marsh was the highlight last week as Paine was recalled to the Test side after seven years. He didn’t keep wickets during the Shield game against Victoria and had only one first-class century to his name. He has an experience of four Test matches and would be hoping to make most out of the probably the last rope provided to him.
Shaun Marsh, on the other hand, made another comeback in the Aussie side. He could be called as the talent unfulfilled as at 34; he has played only 23 Tests while his debut came in 2011. He has made more than seven comebacks on the Test side, which shows that he has faltered the opportunities provided to him. After a poor run in India early this year, Marsh was dropped from the side to face Bangladesh, but his domestic form saw him coming back to the side.
The first Ashes Test starts on November 23 in Brisbane.
Australia playing XI – Steve Smith (C), David Warner (Vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine (Wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
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