The Ashes: Bancroft joins Smith and Warner in Australia squad

Cameron Bancroft has made it to Australia’s squad for the Ashes, which begins on August 1 against England.

Cameron Bancroft scored 93 in an Ashes warm-up match

Cameron Bancroft has made it to Australia’s squad for the Ashes, which begins on August 1 against England. Bancroft, who was suspended -- along with David Warner and Steven Smith -- for their involvement in ball-tampering scandal last year, returns to the Test team after almost an year and a half.

Opener Bancroft had pushed his case for a spot in the Ashes squad with a solid unbeaten knock of 93 which helped Graeme Hick XII wrap up a five-wicket win over Brad Haddin XII in a intra-squad encounter.

The first Test at Edgbaston starts on August 1, with holders Australia looking to win their first Ashes series in England since 2001.

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Chairman of selectors, Trevor Hohns, said: “We have chosen 17 players as this gives us the cover and flexibility we believe we will need to ensure we are in good shape throughout a demanding schedule of five Test matches in just over six weeks.   “We believe the squad is an excellent blend of high-quality batsmen and top-class fast bowlers, plus Nathan Lyon, who we regard as the world’s best off-spinner in all conditions. It is a good mix of all the talents," he said.   “We have had excellent preparations for this series, with eight players from this squad forming part of the Australia A tour that has been in the UK for more than a month, six who took part in the ICC Cricket World Cup, and three who have been playing county cricket. It means the players are acclimatised and ready for the first Test.   “David Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft have forced their way back in to the Test squad through the excellence of their recent performances. David and Steve also have the advantage of being proven players at Test level while Cameron has produced impressive numbers for county side Durham this season and his innings in the intra-squad match in Southampton on a tough pitch was outstanding and showed his quality."

 

THE SQUAD Tim Paine (captain), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner.