Australia name unchanged squad

Australia have named an unchanged squad for the first Ashes Test, which will get underway at the Adelaide Oval on 5 December.

Australia have named an unchanged squad for the first Ashes Test, which will get underway at the Adelaide Oval on 5 December.

The hosts won the series opener by 381 runs inside four days on Sunday, with all-rounder Mitchell Johnson named Man of the Match on the back of nine key wickets and a telling half-century.

The triumphant XI – and 12th man James Faulkner – were retained despite suggestion seam bowlers Johnson, Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris be rested. Batsman Shane Watson, meanwhile, has all but fully recovered from a hamstring injury.

"I don't think it's a big concern for this Test match because there's a 10-day break," said captain Michael Clarke.

"The next two Test matches are going to be tough but fortunately there's a break from now until Adelaide to freshen up.

"If you can knock over a team earlier it's always a benefit because it gives the bowlers a rest."