Ashish Ranjan
David Warner was included in Australia’s squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final and the first two Ashes Tests, but Marcus Harris and Matt Renshaw were also called up to provide flexibility at the top of the batting order.
Warner returned after injury to the 17-man squad for the June 7 WTC final against India at The Oval and the Tests against England that follow at Edgbaston and Lord’s. Warner has been under duress due to a poor run of form with the bat.
Harris was recalled after missing the entire 2022-2023 Test season because Usman Khawaja replaced him as Warner’s opening companion.Mitchell Marsh returned to the Test squad for the first time since the 2019 Ashes series in England as Cameron Green’s reserve, and uncapped wicketkeeper of English descent Josh Inglis was also included.
Peter Handscomb (batsman), Ashton Agar (all-rounder), Mitchell Swepson, and Matt Kuhnemann (spinners) were cut from the squad that toured India in February and March.
“The United Kingdom is a vastly different assignment than our most recent tour of India, and some of the adjustments are based on the conditions we anticipate,” said chief selector George Bailey.
Marcus, Josh, and Mitch’s return to the team will add valuable depth and versatility to their respective skill sets.
Your 17-strong squad ready for a massive few months abroad 💪 pic.twitter.com/yjrSdG9kyn
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) April 19, 2023
After excelling in his first four Tests in India, off-spinner Todd Murphy maintained his position as Nathan Lyon’s backup despite the different conditions anticipated in England.
Before the final three Ashes Tests in July at Headingley, Old Trafford, and The Oval, Bailey stated that the squad would be reevaluated.
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The 36-year-old Warner, whose tour of India was cut short by an elbow injury, therefore likely needs to swiftly recover from a form slump in which he has scored only one century in more than three years.
