“He is an experienced player and quality character who will add talent and leadership to the touring party”
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Australia have included spinner Fawad Ahmed and Western Australia captain Adam Voges in their 17-man Ashes squad.
Ahmed was given the nod after topping the wicket-takers list with 48 wickets at an average of 24.85 in the recently concluded Sheffield Shield season.
Voges meanwhile was named Sheffield Shield Player of the Year after he scored 1,358 runs, which included six centuries and five half-centuries, at a jaw-dropping average of 104.46.
However, there no place in the side for pace bowler James Pattinson or World Cup winning all-rounder Glenn Maxwell.
“The Test team has performed very well in recent times, but the big challenge is to do that away from home,” national selector Rod Marsh said. “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.”
But, even though Australia whitewashed England 5-0 during the last Ashes series, captain Michael Clarke believes it will not be so easy this time around, especially since England are playing in their own backyard.
“England are always tough, especially in their own backyard and by the time we get there they’ll be ready and we’ll have to be at our best,” Clarke said. “There’s a fair bit of cricket to go before we have to worry about England. Hopefully the momentum that we can take from winning the World Cup can help us in the upcoming tours.”
Australia Ashes squad: Michael Clarke (c), Steve Smith (vc), Fawad Ahmed, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Peter Nevill, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Adam Voges, David Warner, Shane Watson