Australia recall Tim Paine for Ashes

Monitoring Desk

SYDNEY: Australia recalled on Friday wicketkeeper, Tim Paine after a seven-year Test absence, for the first two Ashes tests against England.

Time Paine, was not selected for Tasmania in their opening three Sheffield Shield matches as the incumbent Test wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, and comes into the 13-man squad along with batsmen Cameron Bancroft and Shaun Marsh.

The critics and fans were surprised by the stunning selection of 32-year-old Paine, who was once thinking for retirement because of serious finger fracture.

The other young player, Bancroft, a 24-year-old right-hander is also in line for his Test debut after a prolific series in this domestics Sheffield Shield competitions.

The Australian picked only five players from Australia last Test against Bangladesh in September. The first Ashes Test is in Brisbane next week, with the second — a day-night match — in Adelaide from December 2.

The selections were described as “bombshells” in Australian press, while former Test bowler Stuart MacGill lashed the selectors as “morons”.

National selector Trevor Hohns said Paine has been in the sights of selectors despite being overlooked by Tasmania to play behind the stumps this season.