One of the heroes of Australia’s World Cup campaign isn’t wanted for the Ashes as fans await the outcome of a selection battle.
Matthew Wade’s T20 World Cup heroics reportedly won’t be enough to earn him a Test recall as selectors prepare to announce Australia’s squad for the first Ashes Test in Brisbane.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports Wade — who was excluded from the squad that was supposed to travel to South Africa earlier this year before Covid-19 cancelled the tour — will not feature in the Ashes opener despite playing a starring role in Australia’s white ball success in the UAE.
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Alongside Marcus Stoinis, Wade guided Australia to victory over South Africa in its World Cup opener then played a spectacular matchwinning knock in the semi-final against Pakistan.
But his time in the baggy green appears over, even admitting during the World Cup he thought defeat against Pakistan would mark his last ever game for the national team.
The two most contentious spots in the final XI are the opening and No. 5 positions. Marcus Harris is the incumbent opener but has yet to solidify his place in the Test side, and is hoping for another chance to prove his credentials with Will Pucovski ruled out because of the ongoing effects of yet another concussion.
Usman Khawaja can open and will be desperate for another crack at Test cricket, having not played since he was dropped during the 2019 Ashes. He could also slot into the middle order.
The No. 5 position looks increasingly likely to be a shootout between the Queensland captain and fellow left-hander Travis Head, who was axed midway through last summer’s series against India.
Head opened his Sheffield Shield season with 163 but has managed just one half-century in his five first-class innings since, while Khawaja has scored two tons and one fifty in six Shield digs this season, including a brilliant 70 on a green seamer in Brisbane against Western Australia.
Victoria’s Nic Maddinson is also a smokey to force his way into the middle order.
Young all-rounder Cameron Green is expected to keep his place at No. 6 with David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith the other locks in the batting line-up.
Tim Paine will captain the side while Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are expected to form the bowling quartet.
As well as the first Test squad, selectors will also name an additional squad that will play for Australia A against the England Lions in December.
The two Aussie squads will take part in a three-day practice match in Brisbane starting on December 1.
There have been calls for Mitchell Marsh to be considered for an Ashes berth after his stunning 77 not out to win the T20 World Cup final for Australia, capping off what has been a sensational year for the big-hitting all-rounder in the game’s shortest format.
However, The Daily Telegraph reports he is unlikely to wedge his way into the squad for the first Test.