Australia have announced their squad for the 2023 Ashes, about to begin in less than three weeks’ time, while England have announced the squad for their only Test against Ireland right before the first Ashes Test match.

Australia Squad News

The Australian squad has 17 members and will be revisited post the second Ashes Test. Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Harris have earned recalls, while Michael Neser continues to miss out.

David Warner, who has not been in the greatest of forms in Test cricket, has kept his place, but Australia have named as many as four opening batters, including Matt Renshaw, to keep Warner on his toes.

Todd Murphy, who impressed in the Border Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year, has retained his place as the second spinner in the side after Nathan Lyon, while Josh Inglis is in as the backup wicketkeeper for Alex Carey. Among seamers, Lance Morris and Jhye Richardson have missed out due to injuries. Later, Jimmy Pierson was named cover for Inglis.

England Squad News

As far as England are concerned, they are suffering from a string of injuries, mostly to their fast bowlers. Ollie Robinson was seen walking around wearing a protective boot after complaining of discomfort in his ankle. However, scans have revealed that there is no damage and he should be fit for the summer.

Jofra Archer and Jamie Overton have been ruled out of the season with injuries. James Anderson picked up a groin niggle playing for Lancashire but is expected to be fit for the Ashes. And Ben Stokes’ bowling fitness is uncertain at the moment.

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Josh Tongue, a young right-arm fast bowler, has been given a maiden call-up to the side for the Ireland Test match. He doesn’t have a great First Class record but had troubled Steve Smith in the County Championship a few weeks back.

Zak Crawley, meanwhile, has kept his place with Rob Key, the managing director of England men’s cricket, saying that they are “not so much down the road of averages and pure stats“. Ben Foakes, the incumbent wicketkeeper, on the other hand, has lost his place in the side.

England have named a 16-member squad for the Ireland Test, with the squad for the subsequent Ashes series expected to be announced sometime after the Ireland game.

Australia squad for first two Ashes Tests

Openers: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marcus Harris, Matt Renshaw

Middle-order batters: Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (vc), Travis Head

Seam-bowling all-rounders: Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green

Wicketkeepers: Alex Carey, Josh Inglis [Jimmy Pierson named cover]

Spinners: Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy

Seamers: Pat Cummins (c), Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland

England squad for Ireland Test

Openers: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett

Middle-order batters: Ollie Pope (vc), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence

Seam-bowling all-rounders: Ben Stokes (c), Chris Woakes

Wicketkeepers: Jonny Bairstow

Spinners: Jack Leach

Seamers: James Anderson, Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, Matty Potts, Josh Tongue