Ashes 2017/18: 5 players who missed out on Australia's squad

Hosting an English line-up devoid of Ben Stokes, Australia were considered the clear favourites to win this year's Ashes until the selectors named a rather outrageous Test squad. There could possibly be six changes to the final XI that walk out at the Gabba from the one that played the last Test in Bangladesh.

The reactions to the squad named (rather, leaked) were hilarious, to say the least. The most talked about aspect before the series was Australia's no.6, no.7 and opening slots. In each of these positions, the Aussies chose to baffle, presenting Shaun Marsh with his eighth return to the Test squad and recalling Tim Paine as the keeper (he last played seven years ago and last scored a hundred in First-class cricket before Darren Lehmann the coach did).

"It took us quite a while because there were several contenders for several positions," said Australia national selector Trevor Hohns.

Squad named: 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.

On that note, here are five players who should have made the cut:

#5 Peter Nevill

Nevill was set to replace Wade but the selectors sprung a surprise

It was a surprise that Australia decided to drop Peter Nevill in the first place. An extremely good wicket-keeper, Nevill though did not have enough runs to stake his claim although the incumbent, Matthew Wade, was himself short on runs. Steven Smith had urged Nevill to be more vocal behind the stumps a couple of weeks back and that lack of "Australian" aggression seems to have sidelined him.

But Wade wasn't the one eventually selected as the Aussies opted for Tim Paine's glovework and batting talent. However, this decision received a lot of flak since the Australian hasn't scored a hundred in first-class cricket since 2006. Nevill, meanwhile, had played a couple of gritty knocks before being dumped and is arguably the best keeper in the country.

#4 Matt Renshaw

Renshaw will continue to train in the background after missing out

David Warner's partner at the top for the past twelve months, Matt Renshaw, a stoic, courageous, talented youngster missed out despite faring quite well compared to his colleagues on the Indian tour. A slew of poor scores in the Sheffield Shield affected Renshaw's chances as did the performance of Cameron Bancroft, who will now partner Warner at the top.

The southpaw has made 623 runs at 36.64 in six Tests for his nation, but hasn't managed a half-century in his previous nine innings although his temperament, maturity and composure at the crease complemented Warner's aggression quite well. He will now need some runs in the Shield to put himself back in contention.

#3 Glenn Maxwell

Maxwell missed out on the no.6 spot

Shaun Marsh overtook a slew of contenders to make it to the squad, the most prominent among them being Glenn Maxwell. The off-spinning all-rounder made a resounding comeback in the longest format of the game in India, notching a hundred in Ranchi, looking as good as anyone else in the Australian side during the series.

While he isn't the first choice no.6 in these conditions, he could have provided the Aussies with an X-factor in the middle-order. Instead, Maxwell will have to turn out for his Shield side after being considered surplus to requirements.

#2 Hilton Cartwright

Hilton Cartwright missed out despite showing a lot of promise in his short Test career thus far

Hilton Cartwright must be among the most unlucky figures in Australia. He replaced Mitchell Marsh in the Aussie squad for the Pakistan Test series at home and despite showing a lot of promise, was dropped in favour of Marsh again when the Indian touring party was announced.

However, his recent Shield form worked against him. The Western Warriors' batting all-rounder had a dismal season, with just one half-century from six innings, averaging 25.33. A pair of ducks against the NSW Blues further damaged his chances of making the Ashes squad. He was ineffective with the ball too, taking just one wicket.

#1 Jake Lehmann

Jake Lehmann's name did the rounds but he failed to make the cut

Jake Lehmann, the talented, flamboyant left-hander did his chances no harm by making useful runs in the Sheffield Shield. The fact that he was the son of national team coach, Darren Lehmann, further enhanced his chances, or so everyone thought. Even Steven Smith, the skipper, was impressed by what little he had seen of Lehmann.

"He almost bats the same as 'Boof' [Darren Lehmann], stays very leg-side of the ball and frees his hands and takes the game on," Smith had said. "He must have played really well this week in Melbourne and he's obviously started his career pretty well as well, so I'm sure he's going to keep improving."

But, unfortunately, the Aussie selectors wanted someone with a lot more experience and hence Lehmann missed out while Shaun Marsh found his way back in.