Australia announces squad for WTC 2023 Final and Ashes - All you need to know

Australia have announced their 17-man squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final and the subsequent Ashes series against England. The squad includes the return of all-rounder Mitchell Marsh for the first time in four years, who has been named alongside Cameron Green as the seam bowling all-rounders.

Marsh has been out of the Test squad for a while due to injuries, but his recent performances in the white-ball formats against India and a rapid-fire century against Tasmania in the sole first-class outing of the season underscored his potential to swing the outcome of matches. The national selection panel has retained the core line-up that carried Australia to the WTC Final against India through consistent performances over the past two years. David Warner and Usman Khawaja will open the innings, with Marcus Harris included as the auxiliary opener.

Some bold selection by Cricket Australia

The squad includes four specialist quicks – captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Scott Boland – supplemented by the seam bowling of allrounders Cameron Green and Marsh, as well as spin pair Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy.

However, Australia's plans to unleash fast bowler Lance Morris were scuppered due to his back injury. Matthew Renshaw's performances for Australia A against New Zealand A this month ensured he kept his place. The squad, which will assemble in England in late May, will be trimmed to 15 on May 28 as per ICC requirements for the WTC Final against India at The Oval (June 7-11).

Australia's national selection panel chair, George Bailey, said that the team has revisited the squad for the Ashes series given the short turnaround between the WTC Final and the first Ashes Test, along with the length of the tour. Marsh, who provided a reminder of his explosive talent by bludgeoning an unbeaten 108 (from 111 balls) in his sole Shield match of last summer before dominating in his new role as opener in the limited-overs matches that followed the Test series in India, will be looking to make the most of his opportunity.

David Warner will regain his place, having missed the last two Tests of the recent Qantas tour of India due to a hairline fracture of the elbow. Warner scored just 95 runs from his five Tests of the 2019 Ashes series at an average of 9.5, and was tormented by veteran England seamer Stuart Broad, who dismissed him seven times in 10 innings. However, less than four months since Warner's memorable double century against South Africa's pace attack in his 100th Test, he has posted three half-centuries from his five knocks to date for Delhi Capitals in the IPL.

Australia's team looks well-balanced, with a mix of experienced players and talented youngsters. The inclusion of Marsh adds more depth to the team's all-round options, which could prove crucial in English conditions. The WTC final and the Ashes series will be an exciting challenge for the Australian team, and they will be eager to make a mark on the international stage.

World Test Championship Final and Men's Ashes squad: Pat Cummins (c), 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 (vc), Mitchell Starc, David Warner

When will the WCT final be in 2023?

The WTC Final for which India and Australia have qualified will be held from June 7th 2023 to June 11th.

Where will the WTC Final 2023 be played?

The WTC 2023 Final will be held at the Oval Cricket Ground in London.

WTC 2023 Final India squad:

The India squad for the upcoming WTC 2023 Final is yet to be announced.