Australia reveal Ashes touring party
Tuesday 31st March 2015
World champions Australia have named a 17-man squad for the Ashes tour, which starts in Canterbury on June 25-28.
Kent will face the tourists in a four-day fixture at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence with a few experienced players recalled to the side.
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Western Australian captain Adam Voges and Victoria leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed have been selected in the squad following successful seasons in the Bupa Sheffield Shield.
Voges was voted the Sheffield Shield Player of the Year. The 35-year-old was the season’s leading run scorer making 1358 runs at an average of 104.46, including 249 against South Australia in February.
Ahmed, 33, who helped steer Victoria to Sheffield Shield victory, was the competition’s leading wicket-taker with 48 wickets at 24.85, including a record-breaking 8-89 in the first innings of the Shield final against Western Australia at Blundstone Arena.
New South Wales wicket-keeper / batsman Peter Nevill, has been included in the Test squad for the first time. Nevill scored 764 runs at 76.40 throughout the Shield season including a top score of 235 not out against Tasmania in February.
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Commenting on the squad, National Selector Rod Marsh said: “The Test team has performed very well in recent times, but the big challenge is to do that away from home.
“We believe this squad has sufficient depth for these important Test matches against the West Indies and England and will give us the best chance of success.
“Adam Voges and Fawad Ahmed had sensational seasons at domestic level and their performances just couldn’t be ignored. They thoroughly deserve their call-up and the opportunity to be a part of this squad. We believe that both can play important roles in the side if required.
“Adam had one of the great seasons in Sheffield Shield history. He is an experienced player and quality character who will add talent and leadership to the touring party.
“Fawad has worked incredibly hard on his game and has demonstrated throughout the season that he can be a consistent wicket taker.
“Peter Nevill has been on our radar for some time and deserves his opportunity through weight of runs and performances behind the stumps. He has also demonstrated impressive leadership qualities which have caught our eye.”
Fresh from their 50-over triumph at home last weekend, the tourists will visit the West Indies before arriving in the UK.
Paceman Ryan Harris will remain in Australia throughout the tour of the West Indies for the birth of his first child. Harris will join the Test squad for the Ashes series.
Paceman James Pattinson was ruled out of the West Indies tour with an injured left hamstring sustained during the recent Bupa Sheffield Shield Final. He will be assessed by team medical staff over the coming weeks to determine his availability for the remainder of cricket throughout the Australian winter.
The squad departs for the West Indies on 19 May. Australia will face the West Indies in Test matches at Windsor Park, Dominica (5-9 June) and Sabina Park, Jamaica (13-17 June), before travelling to the UK for the five Test Ashes Series beginning at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff (8-12 July).
Squad: Michael Clarke (c), Steve Smith (vc), Fawad Ahmed, Brad Haddin, Josh Hazlewood, Ryan Harris, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Peter Nevill, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Adam Voges, David Warner, Shane Watson.
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Australia to UK 2015
Thu 25 – Sun 28 June: Four-day v Kent, Canterbury – click here to buy tickets
Wed 1 – Sat 4 July: Four-day v Essex, Chelmsford
Wed 8 – Sun 12 July: First Test, Sophia Gardens
Thu 16 – Mon 20 July: Second Test, Lord’s
Thu 23 – Sat 25 July: Three-day v Derbyshire, County Ground
Wed 29 July – Sun 2 August: Third Test, Edgbaston
Thu 6 – Mon 10 August: Fourth Test, Trent Bridge
Fri 14 – Sun 16 August: Three-day v Northants, Northampton
Thu 20 – Mon 24 August: Fifth Test, The Oval