Worrall’s Ashes push put on ice

Daniel Worrall's ambitions to push for inclusion in Australia's Ashes squad have stalled temporarily after the seamer was ruled out of South Australia's JLT Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania that starts on Saturday.

Worrall has been touted by a number of judges, including former Test quicks Jason Gillespie and Mitchell Johnson, as a smoky for the upcoming Ashes campaign in the UK that gets underway next July.

The right-armer's canny swing bowling with the Australia-made Kookaburra ball and its England-manufactured Dukes counterpart, coupled with experience he gained playing for county outfit Gloucestershire last year, have underpinned those claims.

But the 27-year-old has also been beset by injuries since he prematurely returned from the UK last winter with a foot fracture, and he remains troubled by back soreness after he broke down during SA's most recent Shield fixture two months ago.

While Worrall returned to action with Melbourne Stars in the recently completed KFC BBL, he reported ongoing back soreness when bowling and he did not train with the senior squad at the Redbacks' training session at Adelaide Oval this morning.

He took part in some centre-wicket work with members of SA's development squad today, and West End Redbacks skipper Travis Head confirmed the seamer (who claimed 17 wickets at barely 16 runs apiece in his two Shield outings this summer) was not considered for selection.

"He missed a couple of Shield games with injury, and he missed a bit of the Big Bash with injury so it's more precautionary for Daniel," Head said today.

"His body's going good, but we're going to make sure that we have him fit and firing for the (rest of the) summer.

"We've got to finish these four Shield games off – he's not here for this game, but he'll feature in the next three you would think.

"It's a little bit of caution for his body, he understands that.

"He's going really well personally, and I'm sure there's no worries about making sure he finishes off the following three games really well and puts himself in contention (for the Ashes)."

With four fast-bowling berths seemingly sewn-up for the five-Test Ashes series – Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood (if fit), Pat Cummins and Jhye Richardson – speculation as to the likely pace line-up has narrowed to the identity of a fifth quick.

Peter Siddle, who also gained valuable county experience last year, remains a frontrunner given his inclusion in Australia’s Test squad throughout the recent Domain Series against India and Sri Lanka.

However, performances in the second half of the Shield season, using the Dukes ball that will also feature in the Ashes campaign, offers an opportunity for others including Chris Tremain, James Pattinson (Victoria), Jackson Bird (Tasmania), Michael Neser (Queensland) and Worrall's SA teammates Chadd Sayers and Joe Mennie to push their claims.

Worrall's foot injury meant he suffered a disrupted preparation for the start of the JLT Sheffield Shield season and was unavailable for the opening rounds.

However, when he returned to SA's starting Xi he so impressed with performances against Western Australia in Adelaide (7-64 and 3-84), and Tasmania in Hobart (4-42 and 3-83) that calls for a possible Ashes call-up began to echo louder.

Ex-Test fast bowler Johnson even suggested that the Victoria-born swing bowler be named for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, to allow national selectors a closer look at his credentials prior to the Ashes squad being named.

Head, who also undertook a stint with county team Worcestershire during the previous England summer, has no doubts that Worrall's ability to swing the ball both ways could prove a vital weapon in UK conditions if given a chance.

"I think it would," Head said when asked if Worrall's bowling would be suited to England pitches.

"His skills set, with Kookaburra or Dukes (balls) has been outstanding.

"He's bowled extremely well and I'm sure he'll continue to do the same thing when he's back in the team."

South Australia squad: Travis Head (c), Jake Weatherald, Conor McInerney, Callum Ferguson, Jake Lehmann, Tom Cooper, Cameron Valente, Harry Nielsen, Joe Mennie, Nick Winter, Chadd Sayers, Lloyd Pope (12th to be named)

Tasmania squad: Matthew Wade (c), Gabe Bell, Jackson Bird, Alex Doolan, Jake Doran, Jarrod Freeman, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Tim Paine, Alex Pyecroft, Tom Rogers, Jordan Silk, Charlie Wakim