Australia name squad for ICC WTC final and first two Ashes Tests

Australia have named a 17-men squad for the ICC World Test Championship final against India and first two Ashes tests.

Ahead of a gruelling winter in England, Australia have announced the squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against India and the first two Ashes bouts. Seam-bowling all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has returned to the 17-man squad, while David Warner has retained his spot despite his poor form in Tests.

The squad has four specialist pacers in Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Scott Boland, with two more seam-bowling options in Cameron Green and Marsh. Todd Murphy, who enjoyed a stellar series in India, will once again travel as Australia's second spinner. Marcus Harris and Matt Renshaw have made it to the squad as backup openers, while Josh Inglis is the reserve keeper.

Despite his prolific form in domestic cricket, Cameron Bancroft failed to make the cut, while Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Swepson Ashton Agar, and Peter Handscomb did not find a place either. Chief Selector George Bailey trusts the selected players to give them the best result, but hasn't ruled out any changes in the future.

As quoted by cricket.com.au, Bailey said:

"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. 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. 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."

Australia's 17-man squad will be trimmed to 15 on May 28th as per the ICC requirements for the WTC final against India. The tourists will start their preparations for the Ashes, set to begin on June 16th at Edgbaston.

Australia's squad for the ICC WTC final and first two Ashes Tests:

Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, David Warner.