ARCHER OUT OF OPENING TEST, AUSSIES TO ROTATE PACERS
BIRMINGHAM: England’s World Cup hero Jofra Archer has been left out of the playing XI for the opening Ashes Test against Australia, starting here on Thursday.
On the other hand, Australia’s highest wicket-taker at the World Cup, Mitchell Starc will have to fight it out for the third pacer’s spot with Josh Hazlewood and Peter Siddle. James Pattinson, who will be playing his first Test since February 2016, and Pat Cummins are assured of a place in the XI.
Australia coach Justin Langer said: “There’s probably three to be fair, Starcy, Peter Siddle and Josh Hazlewood, for one spot. We won’t rotate them per se, but we’ll just pick the best three, probably not four, but three for every game. It won’t be different opposition, certainly different conditions.”
On Pattinson’s return to the lineup, Langer added: “(He’s) just a very, very good bowler. I’m sure (captain Tim Paine) will work out ways of using him.”
Langer also confirmed that Khawaja passed a fitness test on Monday after recovering from a hamstring injury and will bat at No 3.
“Usman Khawaja will definitely be in,” Langer said. “He’s a seasoned pro for us, he averages 40-odd in Test cricket, his hammy (hamstring) is good, he’s running well, he’s passed all the fitness tests so he’s ready to go. He’ll bat No 3.”
For England, James Anderson, England’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker, returns to the side following a calf injury and will team up again with regular new-ball partner Stuart Broad. All-rounders Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes will provide seam bowling support.
Barbados-born Archer, who has been struggling with a side injury, will have to wait for his Test debut. He was omitted from an original 14-man squad along with fellow pacemen Sam Curran and Olly Stone, who both featured in last week’s lone Test against Ireland.
Australia hold the Ashes but have not won an away Test series in England since 2001.
England team for first Ashes Test: Rory Burns, Jason Roy, Joe Root (captain), Joe Denly, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.