Australia name strong 16-man Ashes squad to play England

May 20, 2009

Australia's selectors have named a 16-man squad to contest the five-Test Ashes series against England, with Shane Watson keeping Andrew Symonds out of the party.

"We think we have chosen an exciting blend of youth and experience," chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said in announcing the squad.

"At its core, the squad is made up of the side that beat South Africa in that memorable series, and includes Phillip Hughes and Marcus North who both scored hundreds on debut."

Watson was named subject to fitness after sustaining a minor groin injury in the recent limited-over series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, but Hilditch expected him to take his place in the tour party.

"(The injury) is not expected to be a serious issue as he is recovering from a very mild groin strain at present and is expected to be fully fit for the ICC World Twenty20 in the UK and the commencement of the Ashes," Hilditch said.

"Shane in our view has the ability to bat anywhere in the order, and enables us to have a batsman in the top six who can provide quality pace support for the fast bowling group."

Watson said he expected to be bowling in the nets next week, after recovering from his latest setback, and to be fit and ready by the time the team arrives in England.

Watson is one of three all-rounders in the squad, alongside North and Andrew McDonald.

"Andrew McDonald played a very important role in both Australia's victory in the last Test match in Australia and on the recent series in South Africa, and has been rewarded with his first Ashes squad selection," Hilditch said.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting, meanwhile, spoke about the omission from the squad of Symonds, who played the last of his 26 Tests in the 2008 Boxing Day Test against South Africa in Melbourne following a season of injury, poor form and off-field personal problems.

"Selectors have a tough job picking any team and it's obviously hard picking an Ashes squad, and unfortunately for Andrew this time there hasn't been room in the 16-man squad for him," Ponting said.

"He made a reasonable comeback in the one-day team (against Pakistan) in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the last few weeks, and unfortunately he missed out on this selection.

"But I know he'll keep working hard and he'll give himself every opportunity to make his way back into the team in the future."

Ponting will lead the touring party with Michael Clarke as his deputy, and they will have a strong six-strong pace attack headed by Mitchell Johnson and recalled New South Wales stalwarts Brett Lee and Stuart Clark.

"The young fast bowling group which performed so well in South Africa of Peter Siddle, Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus will all be taking part in their first Ashes tour to England, and, as shown in South Africa, they have the skills to perform at the international level and will be well suited to English conditions," Hilditch said of the pace battery.

Opening batsman Hughes is the youngster of the touring party, at 20, selected after scoring four centuries during a six-week guest stint in England with county side Middlesex.

"Phil Hughes has been setting the world on fire over there, which is great for him and the team when we all arrive and get under way," Ponting said of Hughes.

"We have a great balance of youth and experience so hopefully, when the big moments come around, it will be all of us who stick our hands up and get the job done."

South Australia's Graham Manou was named as back-up wicketkeeper to Brad Haddin.

"Graham Manou has also been rewarded with his first squad selection for an Australian team following very strong interstate performances in all forms of the game over the last few seasons," Hilditch said.

The five-Test series starts at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, from July 8, and finishes at The Oval in late August.

Australia hold the Ashes after Ponting's side's completed a 5-0 series whitewash at home in 2006-2007 to regain the urn after a 2-1 defeat in England in 2005.

"We don't underestimate the task of beating England on English soil," Hilditch said.

"We expect the Ashes to be an exciting and riveting encounter, consistent with the great tradition of rivalry between England and Australia.

"Attempting to beat England on home soil is a great challenge for this young Australian squad, and both Ricky and the squad are looking forward to it immensely.

"It promises to be a very exciting series."

Australia's Ashes Squad
Ricky Ponting (captain)
Michael Clarke (vice-captain)
Stuart Clark
Brad Haddin
Nathan Hauritz
Ben Hilfenhaus
Phillip Hughes
Michael Hussey
Mitchell Johnson
Simon Katich
Brett Lee
Graham Manou
Andrew McDonald
Marcus North
Peter Siddle
Shane Watson, subject to fitness