Estonia’s David Warner will qualify for Australia’s WTC final, Ashes Squad Mitchell Marsh reminded

Under-pressure David Warner was spared the ax on Wednesday and was included in Australia’s squad for the first two Ashes Tests and the World Cup final, while all-rounder Mitchell Marsh earned a recall.

Veteran opener Warner is fighting to save his career after a lean run with the bat that left him doubting that his time was over.

But the 36-year-old heads to England as part of a 17-man squad that also includes Josh Inglis as cover for wicketkeeper Alex Carey and Marcus Harris and Matthew Renshaw as back-up batsmen.

There was no room for batsman Peter Handscomb, who featured in the recent Test tour of India and is currently playing County cricket in England.

Spinners Ashton Agar, Mitchell Swepson and Matt Kuhnemann, who also toured India, were similarly overlooked as Todd Murphy got Nathan Lyon as second spinner.

Big-hitting Marsh, who has battled injuries for a long time, returns as the likely replacement for Cameron Green should he pick up an injury.

“Great Britain is a very different assignment to our last tour of India and some of the changes are based on the conditions we expect,” said chairman of selectors George Bailey.

“Marcus, Josh and Mitch return to the team and provide valuable depth and flexibility within their respective skill sets.”

Australia will play India at The Oval in the World Test Championship final on June 7, followed by five Ashes Tests at Edgbaston, Lord’s, Headingley, Old Trafford and The Oval.

Bailey said the selectors will assess the squad after the first three games.

“We see value in returning to the team after the second Ashes Test given the short turnaround between the WTC final and the first Ashes Test and the length of the tour,” he said.

Australian squad: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith , Mitchell Starc, David Warner