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."
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