Steven Smith Added to Ashes Squad

Melbourne: The Cricket Australia National Selection Panel (NSP) has today advised that Steve Smith has been added to the Australian Ashes squad on the VB Tour of England.

Commenting on the decision, National Selector John Inverarity said: "The NSP advises that Steve Smith has been added to the Australian Ashes squad until the beginning of the Second Test when it will be reviewed. Given David Warner is unavailable for the upcoming tour games against Somerset and Worcestershire and while Michael Clarke continues to make good progress from a back injury, we feel further batting cover is required."

Ashton Agar is to accompany the Ashes squad until the beginning of the Second Test as a development player. This will be similar to the situation when Mitchell Starc accompanied the ODI, T20 and Test Squads on the tour to West Indies in 2012 as a development player.

Fawad Ahmed will return to Australia tomorrow (Monday) while he goes through the processes required of him to become an Australian citizen and remains a player of interest to the National Selection Panel.

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Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan - 3rd ODI 3rd ODI - South Africa v Pakistan - December 22, 12:00 GMT 4th Test - Australia v India - December 26-30, 23:30 GMT 3rd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 80 runs 2nd ODI - South Africa v Pakistan at Cape Town Pakistan won by 81 runs

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