Twitterati reacts to Australia's 'shocking' Ashes squad

Cricket Australia (CA) announced their squad for the first two Ashes Tests. The selectors have dropped a bomb by making major changes in the squad for the series opener. Wicketkeeper Tim Paine has been called back into the Test side after being away from the scenes for seven long years. Interestingly, Paine was not assigned the work of the gloveman as another contender Matthew Wade took on the position for Tasmania in the three matches of the Sheffield Shield.

Apart from Paine, the management has also shown trust in opener Cameron Bancroft and Shaun Marsh, as they too have been included in the squad for the first two Tests of the series. South Australia’s Chadd Sayers also got a ticket to Gabba, and he might as well make his debut against England in the 1st game.

Skipper Steve Smith is confident about Bancroft, who has been piling on some serious scores in the domestic circuit. “He’s been looked at for some time,” Smith said. “He was included on the tour to Bangladesh a couple of years go which didn’t go ahead, and I guess the selectors said at the start of the Sheffield Shield that there’s a bit of pressure on for some spots and guys that can put their hand up are going to be considered.”

Marsh in for the no.6 spot

Shaun Marsh has been picked for the no.6 spot as he is more likely to face the second new ball. Another name that was doing the rounds was that of all-rounder Marcus Stoinis. But the death of his father after battling illness meant he should be handled in a matured manner.

The internet was in for a shocker and many expressed their views on Twitter. The microblogging site is known as the ideal medium for cricket fans to express their opinions and this time too we have managed to bring in some interesting tweets.

 Here are some of the most interesting tweets:

As ever, don't blame Marsh. Or Paine, or Heazlett, or anyone. Players do their best. Blame a selection non-policy with no coherence, and a bunch of retrospective arse-covering. #Ashes

— Geoff Lemon Sport (@GeoffLemonSport) November 17, 2017

A few tough calls on a few blokes for sure, but I’m pretty comfy with the Aussie team. Balanced, in touch and ready. Go well lads. #Ashes

— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) November 17, 2017

#Ashes squad for first 2 tests ?
Smith (c), Warner (vc), Bancroft, Bird, Cummins, Handscomb, Hazlewood, Khawaja, Lyon, S. Marsh, Paine, Sayers, Starc.
I see it but i still can’t believe it?#OutOfTheWoodwork

— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) November 16, 2017

The one real question that arises from the Aussie squad announcement: what is a Shaun Marsh? #ashes

— England's Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) November 17, 2017

Loving the discussion/opinion/arguments around the Aussie #Ashes squad. Awesome to know we are all so passionate about cricket ??

— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) November 17, 2017

Why is nobody talking about Glenn Maxwell not finding a place in the Ashes squad? WHY IS NOBODY TALKING ABOUT GLENN MAXWELL NOT FINDING A PLACE IN THE ASHES SQUAD? What has he done wrong since his superlative Ranchi hundred? Why do Australia's selectors hate him so much?

— Karthik Krishnaswamy (@the_kk) November 16, 2017

when was the last time Australia didn't pick any all-rounder in their squad? #Ashes

— Nikhil Mane ??? (@nikhiltait) November 17, 2017

And we were worried about our Ashes squad….

— Mark Bennett (@markbennett99) November 17, 2017

RIP Australia’s Ashes chances

What the heck even is that squad???

— ?Sophie? (@pitlanegiraffe) November 16, 2017

OK, Aussie selectors probably had the toughest job picking the squad. But, why pick Marsh ahead of #Renshaw? The kid did well at home, in IND, in BAN. Fails in a couple of FC games & bam, axed! So unfair! #Ashes #Ashes2017

— Sakshi Gupta (@sakshi2929) November 17, 2017

Happy Bancroft is in the squad, gotta feel for Renshaw though – really hard done by. Also feel Maxi deserved to be in there. Gotta question how many chances these Marsh boys get, must be his 10th time at least he's been recalled to squad #bigshow #Ashes

— John Berrington (@johnberrington9) November 16, 2017

Live pictures of the Australian selectors discussing the squad this morning. #ashes pic.twitter.com/4KloUH0Mbo

— James Dunn (@jimmyydunn) November 17, 2017

Australian Squad:

Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird, Chadd Sayers.