subject: New Boys In The Mix For The Opener Of Ashes [print this page] New Boys In The Mix For The Opener Of Ashes
Usman Khawaja and batsman Callum Ferguson and spinner Xavier Doherty joined a team of 17 players for the Ashes series against England next expanded.
Ignoring calls to wait another week, the chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch named a team containing a member of the party to travel more in England, highlighting the uncertainty selectors before the first test at the Gabba on 25 November.
Hilditch said the expanded team has been appointed to assess the controls may be Sheffield Shield player of the week this game, and the days when England Australia match in four starts Wednesday in Hobart. Subsequently, the team will be slaughtered at 12 or 13.
New South Wales Young Khawaja, 23, and South Australia Ferguson, 25, will attend the meeting Bellerive, while Doherty, 27, will play against the Blues in Shield match at the SCG.Vice-captain Michael Clarke has been included despite spending long periods off the field after aggravating his back and scored a century against the Pioneers last week. "My back is fine.
There is still a bit hard but I am sure it will be good for the exam for the first time in Brisbane," he said. Doug Bollinger fast player has been arrested after sending October 1 Sydney grade cricket overs on his return from a stomach strain, while Simon Katich won the Open title after making 94 in grade cricket after recovering from injury thumb.
The selection committee also under pressure man four batsmen Mike Hussey and Marcus North and spinner Nathan Hauritz. Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus is sure to take the new ball brigade, with Bollinger, Queensland, Victoria and Peter Ryan Harris Siddle competing for third place if pacem selectors into the game with a roulette Gabba.
Harris recovered the opposition with a career-best 9140 in the Bulls' Shield win in Hobart, Tasmania last week, the return to a chronic knee injury. Australian team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said the appeal, require ongoing management. "His availability for the first Ashes Test was decided during the week," he said.
Australian squad: Ricky Ponting (c), Michael Clarke (vc), Doug Bollinger, Xavier Doherty, Callum Ferguson, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Usman Khawaja, Marcus North, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Shane Watson.
