Warne earns Ashes place

The time has arrived for England's batsmen to start to panic - Shane Warne will be coming over for the Ashes series after all…

The time has arrived for England's batsmen to start to panic - Shane Warne will be coming over for the Ashes series after all.

Speculation had been mounting that the legendary leg-spinner would be omitted from Australia's squads for this summer's five-Test showdown and the triangular one-day tournament which also features Pakistan.

Just 10 wickets, at an average of over 50 runs apiece, during the 2-1 series defeat in India had put Warne's place in doubt, with Stuart MacGill and Colin Miller also contesting the two spin slots.

However, the 31-year-old's outstanding record against England has persuaded the Australian selectors to keep faith with the country's all-time leading Test wicket-taker.

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Warne has claimed 87 of his 376 Test wickets against England at an average of just over 24 runs apiece.

Miller will take part in his first Ashes series at the ripe old age of 37 as MacGill proved the unlucky loser among Australia's trio of spin-kings.

After winning a record 16 successive Tests, Australia had their aura of invincibility torn apart when losing their final two Tests in India.

Jason Gillespie, who suffered a stress reaction in his left foot in India, is included in both the one-day and Test squads, with his fitness to be assessed ahead of the departure of the oneday squad on May 26th.

Similarly, Brett Lee, who is recovering from surgery on his right elbow, will also have his fitness assessed ahead of the Test squad flying out in mid-June.

The Squads

Test Squad: Steve Waugh (captain), Adam Gilchrist (vice-captain), Nathan Bracken, Damien Fleming, Jason Gillespie, Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Brett Lee (subject to fitness), Simon Katich, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Colin Miller, Ricky Ponting, Michael Slater, Shane Warne, Mark Waugh.

One-Day Squad: Steve Waugh (captain), Adam Gilchrist (vice-captain), Michael Bevan, Nathan Bracken, Damien Fleming, Jason Gillespie (subject to fitness), Ian Harvey, Matthew Hayden, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Ricky Ponting, Andrew Symonds, Shane Warne, Mark Waugh.