Brad Haddin has been confirmed as Australia's vice-captain for the Ashes tour, while the veteran opener Chris Rogers has rocketed back into Test contention five years after his only match in the baggy green. Rogers has been named in the 16-man squad along with the Tasmanian fast-bowling allrounder James Faulkner, who was preferred ahead of the teenage spinner Ashton Agar for the final bowling position, leaving Nathan Lyon as the sole specialist spinner in the touring party.
Usman Khawaja has retained his place as a backup batsman ahead of Steven Smith, while Glenn Maxwell, Xavier Doherty and Moises Henriques have also been left out from the squad that toured India. Jackson Bird has returned to the group after leaving the Indian tour due to injury and Ryan Harris is also back having missed most of the Australian home summer due to injury.
The incumbent Test wicketkeeper Matthew Wade was named in the squad but the national selector, John Inverarity, said the intention was for the new vice-captain, Haddin, to be the first-choice gloveman.
"In regards to the vice-captaincy, we feel it's important to have a senior, seasoned player support Michael at this time," Inverarity said. "When Shane Watson advised of his decision to stand down, the NSP viewed Brad as the exceptional candidate to step into this leadership void.
"Matthew Wade is a very good cricketer and remains central to our plans for the future. New members to the group include Chris Rogers and James Faulkner, while Ryan Harris returns from a long absence from international cricket.
"Chris Rogers is a hardened first-class cricketer and has been given a deserved opportunity on the back of sustained run-scoring in both Australia and England over many seasons. He has vast experience in the UK and has performed outstandingly well over there; during the past four seasons in England, between 2009 and 2012, he has scored more than 5000 first-class runs at an average of 52.30, including 17 centuries and 21 fifties.
"James Faulkner has also been given an opportunity after impressing in recent months as an all-rounder. His performance in last month's Sheffield Shield final was compelling and he has now produced three consistently good seasons with the ball at Shield level for Tasmania. He is a player who is seldom out of the game for long. He takes wickets, forms partnerships and makes valuable runs.
"Ryan Harris has regained fitness and it is great to have such a very highly regarded and well-performed pace bowler back in the mix. Nathan Lyon is the only spin bowler selected but we will be keeping a close eye on others in case another spinner is required. We'll have approximately 30 players in England at the start of the northern summer and the NSP can add to the Ashes squad at any stage if the need arises."
The selectors also announced an Australia A squad to play in England ahead of the Ashes and including several of the team's frontline bowlers with the aim of giving them as much time as possible to adjust to the English conditions. Haddin will captain the A team, which includes Agar and Lyon as two spinners. Inverarity said the legspinner Fawad Ahmed, who is unlikely to be eligible to play for Australia until near the end of the Ashes series, was likely to be part of an Australia A tour in July.
"The bulk of our Ashes bowling attack - James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris, Jackson Bird and Nathan Lyon - will use the 'A' matches as important preparation for the Ashes," Inverarity said. "Brad Haddin will also get some valuable preparation for the Ashes in his leadership role captaining the side.
"In relation to Fawad Ahmed, we have selected only two spinners in the Australia A squad. Including three spinners would have upset team balance. We are planning a further Australia A tour to South Africa in mid-July and it is our intention to include Fawad in that squad."
Full report to follow
Ashes squad Michael Clarke (capt), Brad Haddin (vice-capt, wk), David Warner, Ed Cowan, Phillip Hughes, Shane Watson, Usman Khawaja, Chris Rogers, Matthew Wade (wk), James Faulkner, Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird.
Australia A squad Brad Haddin (capt), Steven Smith (vice-capt), Ashton Agar, Jackson Bird, Alex Doolan, Ryan Harris, Moises Henriques, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, James Pattinson, Chadd Sayers, Peter Siddle, Jordan Silk.
Rogers and Faulkner in Ashes squad
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Rogers and Faulkner in Ashes squad
