Cummins, Warner return as Australia name WTC final and Ashes squad

Australia have included veteran David Warner along with two possible opening backups in the squad for the ICC World Test Championship final against India and the opening two Ashes Tests.

Cricket Australia on Wednesday announced the 17-member touring party for the WTC decider from June 7 at the Oval and the first two matches of the Ashes.

Pat Cummmin will return as Australian captain after missing the last two Tests in India to spend time with his ailing mother.

Similarly, Warner will also make his comeback after recovering from an elbow injury sustained during the India tour in February, though two other left-handed openers – Matthew Renshaw and Marcus Harris – have been named as possible options to partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order.

However, the squad for the WTC final against India needs to be cut down to 15 players by May 28.

The selectors will reassess their decision after the second Ashes Test at Lord’s and make changes, if needed, to the squad for the remaining three Tests at Headingley, Old Trafford and The Oval.

Among the players who were part of the Australian squad that toured India, l Ashton Agar, Peter Handscomb, Mitchell Swepson and Matt Kuhnemann have not been retained.

Meanwhile, all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and wicketkeeper Josh Inglis have been recalled for the upcoming assignment.

Squad: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vice-captain), Mitchell Starc, David Warner