Richardson has edge over Neser in Australia: Ponting

Former Test skipper Ricky Ponting says the recalled Jhye Richardson, not the luckless Michael Neser, should be the first fast bowler picked behind Australia's big three quicks for the Ashes this summer.

And Ponting added he would be surprised if Usman Khawaja does not beat out Travis Head for the vacant middle-order spot for the first Test against England.

He's also backed uncapped leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson to play a role this summer if allrounder Cameron Green's bowling form allows the Australians to pick two frontline spinners in their XI.

Ponting says there were no major surprises in Australia's 15-man squad announced today, although he had expected in-form allrounder Mitchell Marsh to be considered after his stunning performance at the T20 World Cup.

Ponting, a five-time Ashes winner, expects World Cup winners Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood to lead the pace attack at the Gabba, but urged selectors to learn a lesson from last summer and not rely on just those three fast bowlers for the entire series.

While saying Neser could be a "genius" in more suitable conditions such as England and South Africa, Ponting believes Richardson's extra pace makes him a more attractive option on Australian surfaces.

"I think Jhye has got a little bit more pace up his sleeve when he needs it (and) is more of an out-and-out swing bowler with the brand new-ball, whereas Neser is more of a seamer," Ponting told cricket.com.au.

"So I think Jhye would be the next cab off the rank.

"Neser's a very good bowler in the right conditions, I feel. I've always said about him that with a red ball in English conditions, he'd be an absolute genius. Even in South Africa.

"He reminds me a bit of Vernon Philander; he's a similar sort of height, a similar sort of pace, and he needs the ball to be doing something to be at his most effective."

Neser is yet to play Test cricket despite being part of Australia’s Test squad for most of the past three years, while Richardson has only just returned to red-ball cricket having impressed on Test debut in 2019.

Ponting speculated that Starc could play the opening two Tests of the series, including the pink-ball match in Adelaide, before taking a break and making way for Richardson for the Boxing Day Test.

"I think one thing we all learned last summer is how hard it is to get those same three fast bowlers through an entire series," he said.

"So I'll reckon they'll think about when the right time is to bring a guy out of a Test match, probably with conditions not suiting someone … to freshen those guys up."

Ponting said he was "rapt" to see Khawaja back in the fold for the first time in more than two years but expressed surprise that selectors had not made a firm decision about his inclusion for the first Test and named Head in the squad as well.

The former Test skipper said he liked the public backing from selector George Bailey for Marcus Harris, who appears certain to open the batting alongside David Warner, and tipped Khawaja to soon get a similar backing to bat at No.5 at the Gabba.

"I was actually a bit surprised that they named the two (Khawaja and Head)," he said. "If they haven't made a decision on it yet, I'm not sure how much clearer it's going to get over the next period of time.

"I'm rapt for Khawaja. I've been on record a few times that even when he got left out, I still felt he was in Australia's top six batters.

"Just reading between the lines, it would seem strange to go back to someone like him and not play him."

Ponting believes the uncapped Swepson is ready for Test cricket and could play a role in the Ashes after Christmas but added that his fate will be determined by Green, who is a highly-rated seam bowler but was unable to take a wicket in four Tests last season.

"If they have enough faith in (Green) as a third seamer, I think Swepson is one of the most improved cricketers in the country," Ponting said.

"(The Queensland coaches) can't speak highly enough about him, so there could be an opportunity there.

"You'd have to think it'd be in Melbourne or Sydney or if the fifth Test is not in Perth and in Hobart or Canberra instead, opportunities for a second spinner could present themselves easily."

Ponting also backed Marsh to come from outside the squad of 15 during the summer and play a role in the series, saying a diet of purely T20 cricket over the past six months won't affect the allrounder given his confidence is at an all-time high.

"I think (he can come straight from T20 cricket) now that he's as confident as he is in his own game," he said. "If you wound the clock back two years ago, I'd probably say no.

"He was the only one (not picked today) who I thought might have been a chance for that No.5 or 6 batting spot. Everything I'm hearing from that T20 tour and even the couple of tours before that is how he seems like he's in career best form and probably never played better.

"The last Test match he played (in 2019) he got five-fa and then he broke his hand. Green probably took Mitch's spot as that middle-order allrounder (in 2020), but if he hadn't punched that changeroom door in Perth, everything might be a little bit different."

Australia's Ashes squad: Tim Paine (c), Pat Cummins (vc), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

Australia A players: Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Henry Hunt, Josh Inglis, Nic Maddinson, Mitchell Marsh, Matt Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Bryce Street

Don’t miss expert analysis from Ricky Ponting every day of the Men’s Ashes on cricket.com.au and The Unplayable Podcast, including HCL Technical Talk throughout the series

Vodafone Men's Ashes v England

Tour Matches

Nov 23-25: England v England Lions, Brisbane

Nov 30 – Dec 3: England v England Lions, Brisbane

Dec 1-3: Australian intra-squad match, Brisbane

Dec 9-12: Australia A v England Lions, Brisbane

Tests

First Test: December 8-12, The Gabba

Second Test: December 16-20, Adelaide Oval

Third Test: December 26-30, MCG

Fourth Test: January 5-9, SCG

Fifth Test: January 14-18, Perth Stadium