Shane Warne chooses his Australia squad for Ashes 2019; leaves Starc out of playing XI

The cricketing summer in England this year is expected to be a big one as England and Wales hosting the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 and then hosting Australia for the Ashes series 2019. The World Cup begins on May 30 and will be followed by Ashes 2019 which starts on August 1. Former Aussie spinner Shane Warne has thus picked his Australian side that should take field in the iconic encounter.

In the Ashes series that comprises of five Test matches, Australia will be in England to defend the urn they won in 2017-18 at home. This series will form part of the inaugural 2019–21 ICC World Test Championship. Given the recent form of the Australian team and the returns of two batting stalwarts Steve Smith and David Warner has enhanced the chances of Australia defending the urn successfully.

Shane Warne is one of the most successful bowlers in Ashes history and had made his debut in 1993 Ashes series in England and had made an instant impression with the ball of the century to Mike Gatting. The ball pitches on the leg stump, curving into Gatting in the air, spun off the pitch to remove the off-stump bail, leaving the batsman and the world dumbfounded.

Shane Warne picks his Ashes 2019 Australia squad with some surprises

Warne last played in Ashes in 2007 which was his retirement series and finished his illustrious career with 702 wickets, with Andrew Strauss being his 700th Test victim. He has been vocal about the current state of Australian team with David Warner and Steve Smith missing from the team for a year. The Australian team struggled and lost their first ever Test series to India at home, but has gained momentum in limited-overs with ODI series wins over India and Pakistan recently.

With the Ashes 2019 months away, Warne took to Twitter to announce his Ashes squad and playing XI. To the shock of many, Warne has left speedster Mitchell Starc out of the playing XI for the Ashes. Starc was out of form in recent times, especially against the Indian team in 2018-19 series, which Australia lost 1-2.

Warne has also picked 21-year-old Josh Philippe in the squad, leaving out both Shaun and Mitchell Marsh. He has chosen Tim Paine to lead the Australian team and has Warner and Smith in his playing XI. Marcus Stoinis was chosen in the team as the all-rounder and James Pattinson is also a part of the side.

Here is Shane Warne’s Australia’s playing XI for the Ashes 2019:

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