The wicket-keeper is expected to be named as Michael Clarke’s assistant despite barely playing for 12 months.
Following the resignation of Shane Watson as vice-captain on Saturday, Australia are looking for a reshuffle as veteran Brad Haddin is likely to take up the role.
Haddin will return to the position he occupied two years ago when he and skipper Michael Clarke oversaw a 4-0 series victory over India.
Yet since then the 35-year-old ‘keeper has lost his place in the side to Matthew Wade, only featuring in the third Test against India earlier in the year due to injury to the younger gloveman.
However, although Wade has been in the side for 12 months it now seems he will have to play second fiddle to Haddin as the Australians revert back to a system that worked for them in 2011.
The Aussies will take a squad of 16 to England for the Ashes tour and it is expected that Wade will travel to play their oldest rivals and could even force his way into the starting XI as a batsman.
The selectors may raise a few more eyebrows with the inclusion of Shaun Marsh in the squad, as Australia look to bounce back from their worst Test series defeat since 1970.
Marsh made his debut in the five-day side in 2011 but has failed to score a first-class century since then. Yet the talent he showed earlier in his career could be enough to see him travel for the Ashes.
Including the former No.3 would probably mean no place for Usman Khawaja or George Bailey and Chris Rogers – who have both been plying their trade in the English County Championship ahead of the Ashes.
Watson will almost certainly still merit his place in the squad but bowler Mitchell Johnson could be emitted after a poor tour of India.
Australia will announce their 16-man Ashes squad on Wednesday.
COMMENTS