Batsman Usman Khawaja has been recalled to Australia’s Test squad for the Ashes and will duel with Travis Head for the middle order spot vacated by Matthew Wade.
Khawaja, who has played 44 Tests, had been ignored by selectors since being dropped during the 2019 Ashes but the Queensland captain has made a strong case with back-to-back centuries in the Sheffield Shield last month.
Head played the last of his 19 Tests against India in Melbourne’s Boxing Day clash before being dumped mid-series.
Selector George Bailey said one of the pair was a slight frontrunner but declined to name him.
“We’re leaning towards one of them, but the whole purpose of naming a squad is to have a squad there,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
That could mean the pair are set for a shoot-out in the squad’s three-day warmup match in Brisbane from December 1.
There were no major surprises in Australia’s 15-man squad which covers only the Dec. 8 opener in Brisbane and the second pink ball Test in Adelaide.
Mitchell Marsh was unable to dislodge incumbent all-rounder Cameron Green despite T20 World Cup heroics, but he’s been included in an A squad, giving him the chance to prove his Test credentials in the trial match early next month.
Uncapped Michael Neser and two-Test paceman Jhye Richardson are the back-up quicks to Australia’s first-choice trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.
Uncapped legspinner Mitchell Swepson has been included as the reserve slow bowler behind incumbent offspinner Nathan Lyon.
