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Ashes: Australia announce 15-man squad for first two Tests, Khawaja recalled

Australia have announced their 15-man squad for the first two Tests of the upcoming Ashes series starting from December 8.

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Sam Abraham
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Australia have announced their 15-man squad for the first two Tests of the upcoming Ashes series starting from December 8. Usman Khawaja has been rewarded with a place after he plundered runs at will in the ongoing Sheffield Shield season. He hasn't featured in a Test for more than two years and now will fight it out for a middle-order place in the XI with Travis Head.

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As expected and confirmed by selector George Bailey, Marcus Harris has been backed to open the innings with David Warner. Khawaja is another option at the top of the order if the Harris move doesn't work in the first couple of Test matches.

Mitchell Swepson who was also part of the T20 World Cup winning squad has been picked in the Test team as the back-up for off-spinner Nathan Lyon. As far as the bowling attack is concerned, the first-choice pacers Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are the part of the squad while Michael Neser and Jhye Richardson are selected as back-ups.

"Jhye is seeing the rewards of concentrating on his red ball cricket in the build up to this series. We know he has an exceptional skill set and are excited about what he brings to the team now his body is back on track," Bailey said according to Cricbuzz.

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The selectors have also picked a team of 11 players who will represent Australia A to feature in an intra-squad game from December 1-3. Mitchell Marsh is part of this group and a good show might lead him to play in the main team as the Ashes progresses as well.

Australia Test squad: Tim Paine (C), Pat Cummins (VC), Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

Australia A players:Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Henry Hunt, Josh Inglis, Nic Maddinson, Mitchell Marsh, Matt Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Bryce Street

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