Australia announced an 18-player squad for their upcoming tour of India, with Mitchell Starc to miss the first Test of the series due to a finger injury.
Starc suffered tendon damage and a fracture to the middle finger on his bowling hand during the Boxing Day Test against South Africa at the MCG, although he was able to tough it out and return to the field.
The 32-year-old was ruled out of the final Test of the series in Sydney and selectors confirmed on Wednesday that Starc's recovery will mean he will not fly over to India with the rest of Australia's squad.
In more positive news, Cameron Green is expected to make a full recovery in time for the series opener on February 9, having undergone surgery on a finger injury of his own.
"Greeny, we're hopeful that he should be right for the first Test," chair of selectors George Bailey said.
"But if not that, that's okay. We feel like we've got the squad that can cover that.
"Starcy's not expected to be available for the first Test, in fact he's going to come across to India a touch later."
If there is one area of the squad where Australia could afford an injury, it is in the fast-bowling department.
With Starc out, captain Pat Cummins will likely be joined by Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland in the pace attack, while the rapid Lance Morris has been named in the squad and might feel overdue for a look-in.
Australia also named four spinners, with veteran campaigner Nathan Lyon joined by Ashton Agar, Mitchell Swepson and uncapped off-spinner Todd Murphy.
Bailey addressed the condition of back-up wicketkeeper Peter Handscomb, who was forced to retire hurt immediately after hitting a six while playing for St Kilda in a T20 on Tuesday, having been nailed in the hip the previous over.
"Pete's got a scan tomorrow morning to check on that," Bailey said. "He's confident it's nothing too serious.
"A bit of a mishap. He just copped a ball on the back hip, and then three balls later he dispatched one and just felt something give a little bit in there.
"There's still quite a bit of time between now and when we depart and even when the first test is, so we'll work through that as we get more information."
Bailey confirmed Handscomb is still third in the pecking order, but selectors have opted to give Josh Inglis the tour off to allow him to play some first-class cricket.
"Josh is absolutely still our backup or number two wicketkeeper," he said. "But we're also conscious that he has been on a number of tours and hasn't actually been able to play a great deal of cricket."
The first Test of of the four-match series starts in Nagpur on February 9.
Jos Buttler believes Moeen Ali will thrive on return to England’s Test side
England one-day captain Jos Buttler has predicted Moeen Ali will be a perfect fit when he joins up with Ben Stokes’ Ashes squad ahead of the first Test against Australia at Edgbaston.
Moeen, who has not played an international Test for nearly two years having previously announced his retirement from red-ball cricket, was called in this week as a replacement for first-choice spinner Jack Leach after he was ruled out with a stress fracture to his back.
England did have other options, including 18-year-old Rehan Ahmed, who became England’s youngest Test cricketer when he debuted in Karachi in December, and Surrey’s Will Jacks but none with the experience and credentials of Moeen.
He has 64 Test caps, 195 wickets and the small matter of five Test centuries. With Jonny Bairstow slotting back into the side at number seven following his return from a broken leg, Moeen is likely to bat at eight and give the home side a seriously dangerous lower order.
Buttler, who featured in England’s unsuccessful bid to regain the Ashes in Australia in 2021-22, said he believed ‘Bazball’ would suit the 35-year-old’s game.
“I’m excited for him,” said Buttler. “I think he will fit in perfectly to what Ben and Brendon (head coach McCullum)have brought to the England team. I’m sure he sees it as a bit of a free hit really.
“He’s coming back into what is an incredibly successful team at the moment, a fantastic culture and an environment that suits him brilliantly. Why not give it a crack?
“We know what a fantastic bowler he’s been over a long period of time. Not just that, the runs he can score as well. I’m quite intrigued to see Mo play Bazball. I think it will suit him nicely.
“Mo’s been a crucial part of England Cricket for a very long time. He’s played a lot of Test Matches, and he’s my right-hand man in the white ball set-up. He’s a crucial guy to have in the dressing room.”
The 35-year-old was invited to join the squad at the start of the week and, after taking a couple of days to ponder his decision, has now agreed to link up with the team.
The Ashes begins at Moeen’s home ground of Edgbaston on July 16, with the all-rounder due to turn 36 on day three.
Rob Key, England’s managing director of men’s cricket, was involved in discussions alongside head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes and explained: “We reached out to Mo early this week about returning to Test cricket. Having had a couple of days to reflect, Mo is excited to join the squad and play Test cricket again.
“His vast experience, along with his all-round ability, will benefit our Ashes campaign. We wish Mo and the rest of the squad well for the Ashes campaign.”
Travis Head says attention on star man Steve Smith helped him excel
Travis Head felt the presence of Steve Smith allowed him to “sneak under the radar” as he cracked a wonderful century on day one of the World Test Championship final against India.
With 30 centuries, 8,792 runs and an average of just under 60, Smith is always a prize target whenever he steps on to the field.
But while he reasserted his class with a thoroughly composed innings of 95 not out at the Oval, it was Head who took centre stage with a dashing 146 not out.
Australia ended the day in charge of the showpiece on 327 for three, a huge position of strength given Head arrived at 76 for three.
Speaking after an unbroken stand of 251 with Smith, Head said: “We don’t talk too much out there but I do really enjoy batting with Steve, because of how much attention he receives in terms of the bowler’s plans.
“Whenever I bat with him I always feel like I’m in the shadows, that you can sneak under the radar and go about your business because he draws so much attention.
“I felt like that again today, I knew he wasn’t going to go anywhere once he got in that rhythm.
“He loves batting over here and he’s unbelievable in these conditions. We’re completely different but the partnership works really nicely.”
Head’s sixth Test hundred was a bruising affair, comprising 22 fours and a six, but it was most notable for being his first away from Australia.
With an Ashes series coming hot on the heels of the WTC final, he could hardly have timed the landmark better having been dismissed for 90 in Ahmedabad in March.
“It’s a nice feather in the cap, I’ll look back in the future on a nice little moment,” he said.
“I missed the chance in India a couple of months ago, but it doesn’t bother me too much. I just want to contribute and play well, if that’s a hundred great, but it doesn’t faze me in the slightest.
“This week is hugely important to us for the last two years of hard work but as we move to the Ashes if it’s a low scoring series I just want to contribute, even if that doesn’t mean hundreds.
“All you can do is be around your peers, see what they’re doing and try to excel. We’ll see where that leads us in the next six weeks.”
Travis Head says attention on star man Steve Smith helped him excel at Lord’s
Travis Head felt the presence of Steve Smith allowed him to “sneak under the radar” as he cracked a wonderful century on day one of the World Test Championship final against India.
With 30 centuries, 8,792 runs and an average of just under 60, Smith is always a prize target whenever he steps on to the field.
But while he reasserted his class with a thoroughly composed innings of 95 not out at the Oval, it was Head who took centre stage with a dashing 146 not out.
Australia ended the day in charge of the showpiece on 327 for three, a huge position of strength given Head arrived at 76 for three.
Speaking after an unbroken stand of 251 with Smith, Head said: “We don’t talk too much out there but I do really enjoy batting with Steve, because of how much attention he receives in terms of the bowler’s plans.
“Whenever I bat with him I always feel like I’m in the shadows, that you can sneak under the radar and go about your business because he draws so much attention.
“I felt like that again today, I knew he wasn’t going to go anywhere once he got in that rhythm.
“He loves batting over here and he’s unbelievable in these conditions. We’re completely different but the partnership works really nicely.”
Head’s sixth Test hundred was a bruising affair, comprising 22 fours and a six, but it was most notable for being his first away from Australia.
With an Ashes series coming hot on the heels of the WTC final, he could hardly have timed the landmark better having been dismissed for 90 in Ahmedabad in March.
“It’s a nice feather in the cap, I’ll look back in the future on a nice little moment,” he said.
“I missed the chance in India a couple of months ago, but it doesn’t bother me too much. I just want to contribute and play well, if that’s a hundred great, but it doesn’t faze me in the slightest.
“This week is hugely important to us for the last two years of hard work but as we move to the Ashes if it’s a low scoring series I just want to contribute, even if that doesn’t mean hundreds.
“All you can do is be around your peers, see what they’re doing and try to excel. We’ll see where that leads us in the next six weeks.”
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