Australia name squad for first two Ashes Tests against England

Cricket Australia also announced that Western Australia batsman Cameron Bancroft, another yet to play Test cricket, will replace the out-of-form opener Matt Renshaw.

Australia are Sky Bet's odds-on favourites at 2/5 to win the Ashes. England can be backed at 3/1 for victory and a drawn series is available at 9/1.

Shaun Marsh also returns to the squad to face England, while Tim Paine will keep wicket instead of Matthew Wade.

Those previously-unexpected switches had been widely touted over the past 24 hours.

But few mentioned the possible inclusion of South Australia's Sayers as an extra seam option alongside Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

National selector Trevor Hohns gave a strong indication, however, that the 30-year-old is unlikely to feature in next week's Brisbane opener but may well come into contention for the day-night Test which follows at his home ground.

"Chadd's inclusion in the squad is with a view to the Adelaide Test and the conditions that we may see there," said Hohns.

"He swings the ball with good control and knows the conditions well at his home ground.

"He gives us this bowling option if required."

Australia Ashes squad: S Smith (Captain), D Warner, C Bancroft, J Bird, P Cummins, P Handscomb, J Hazlewood, U Khawaja, N Lyon, S Marsh, T Paine (wkt), C Sayers, M Starc.

Related links

• Sky Bet's Ashes odds
• Dave Tickner's Ashes outright tips
• Ashes schedule