With the most famous cricketing rivalry fast approaching, Australia unveiled a 17-man squad for the first three tests of this year's Ashes.
With the all-important World Test Championship final prior to the highly-anticipated England tour, Pat Cummins and co will be primed to be at their best and look to become the first Australian side to win an Ashes series on English soil since 2001.
George Bailey, chief selector for the Australian Men's national team announced the squads for the WTC final and Ashes series on the 19th of April. The list included the surprise inclusions of Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Harris, and Josh Inglis as the trio make their return to the longest format of the game.
"Marcus (Harris), Josh (Inglis, reserve keeper) and Mitch (Marsh) return to the squad and will provide valuable depth and flexibility within their respective skillsets," Bailey said.
With every squad announcement comes a set of players that have been snubbed, here in this article we take a closer look at those names and identify the reasonings behind their omissions.
2. Sean Abbott (New South Wales)
Abbott was on the verge of a Test debut after breaking into the Australian squad a few years ago but has fallen out of contention in recent times. Cementing himself as a white-ball regular and being a strong shout as an inclusion ahead of the 50-over world cup in India, Abbott still awaits his opportunity to receive a baggy green.
Abbott finished this season's Sheffield Shield as NSW's leading wicket-taker, picking up 21 wickets at an average of 29.33. Further away from fellow omitted pacer Neser, to be a part of the traveling contingent Abbott still shows promising potential to play for his country in white.
Abbott is currently playing in the County Championship like he has a point to prove, picking up a fifer in the first round and scoring a 42 against an experienced Lancashire side. In the second round, Abbott scored a swashbuckling fifty aiding Surrey to a comprehensive nine-wicket win against Hampshire.
Abbott looks like he is taking to the English conditions like fish to water and will look to cut out the external noise and secure himself as a future prospect for his country.
