"The Great Australian Bat Off has returned for a brand new season with fresh faces and forgotten favourites bidding to join the cast for the Ashes series opener. In a major subplot, captain Pat Cummins is officially out of the first Test and is all but certain to be replaced by understudy Scott Boland, while the final auditions to claim a spot in the squad will be staged across the Sheffield Shield matches that begin on Tuesday as much as the T20 series against India."
"Green was pulled from the ODI series against India due to side soreness in what chair of selectors George Bailey said was a conservative call, but doubts remain over his ability to bowl early in the Ashes. The 26-year-old has bowled four overs in a competitive fixture this year taking 1-13 for Western Australia in a Sheffield Shield match earlier this month and is not expected to be thrown the ball when he returns to face South Australia on Tuesday."
"The main storyline will be familiar to seasoned fans as the Australia selectors largely repeat last year's search for an opener to partner Usman Khawaja. But the return to form of Marnus Labuschagne, and injury concerns for Cameron Green and Beau Webster, are plot twists that have thrown up more uncertainty over which six batters will be included for the Perth Test."
The Great Australian Bat Off has begun as players compete for places in the Ashes opener. Pat Cummins will miss the first Test and Scott Boland is almost certain to replace him. Final auditions for squad spots will be held across the Sheffield Shield matches beginning Tuesday and the T20 series against India. Selectors continue the search for an opener to partner Usman Khawaja amid Marnus Labuschagne's return to form. Cameron Green was withdrawn from the ODI series with side soreness and may not be able to bowl early in the Ashes. Beau Webster has ankle concerns but offers medium pace or off-spin and four Test half-centuries.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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