Warner available for third Test

Venue: Emirates Old Trafford, ManchesterDate: 1-5 AugustStart time: 11:00 BSTCoverage: Ball-by-ball Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, BBC Radio 4 Long Wave and via the BBC iPlayer Radio app, BBC Sport website & BBC Sport app. Live text commentary on BBC Sport website, app & mobile devices

Batsman David Warner will rejoin the Australia squad on Monday and be available for the third Ashes Test at Old Trafford, starting on Thursday.

With Australia’s top order struggling for runs in the first two Tests, Warner, 26, is likely to be recalled.

Last month, Warner was suspended for punching English batsman Joe Root in a bar   following a Champions Trophy game.

He joined the Australia A tour to Zimbabwe and South Africa and scored 193 against South Africa A in Pretoria.

However, on Saturday Warner was involved in a verbal altercation with opponent Thami Tsolekile, causing the umpire to call a halt to the game.

“A kid from the back blocks with a strong personality, Warner is outgoing, likes talking to people and always has an opinion. He is popular with his team-mates and respected in the dressing room. He has that lively and nocturnal side to his personality. But he is 26 now, and off the field he needs to change.”

No Australian batsman scored a century in the first two Ashes Tests, both won by England, and several will be sweating on their place in the starting XI in Manchester.

Usman Khawaja replaced Ed Cowan for the second Test at Lord’s and scored 54 in his side’s second innings, before Cowan made 66 and 77 not out against Sussex in a tour match.

Meanwhile, opener Chris Rogers has made only 89 runs in four Test innings, and Phillip Hughes has made 83, including scores of 0, 1 and 1.

Asked whether Cowan’s displays against Sussex improved his chances of a recall, Australia coach Darren Lehmann told BBC Sport: “Yeah, it does. He batted really well both innings.

“We’d love him to get a big hundred and really put pressure on, but it does his chances good.”

Lehmann added that he was confident the team’s plans to combat England spinner Graeme Swann were sound, despite Swann taking 13 Australian wickets so far in the series.

“Swann’s bowled OK but we haven’t played him very well,” said Lehmann. “We’ve just got to believe in the plans and the blokes have got to execute them.”

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Warner available for third Test

Best U-19s available, says Hinds

THE Jamaica Under-19 cricket squad includes the finest players available, according to chairman of selectors Wavell Hinds.

“The (selection) panel is satisfied with the present squad and feels it’s the best unit to represent the country at this time,” Hinds told the Jamaica Observer.The team, captained by former Under-15 standout Ramaal Lewis, left for St Kitts yesterday where they will compete in the regional tournament which gets under way tomorrow.Noticeably missing from the Robert Samuels-coached set-up are prominent youth players Aldaine Thomas and Tezwayne Creary.Thomas, a wicketkeeper/batsman, who has played Twenty20 (T20) cricket for the national senior team, was not invited to the Under-19 trials, effectively due to his no-show during the most recent Headley Cup season.Officials from Thomas’ school, Holmwood Technical, confirmed he did not feature in the competition because he failed to meet the minimum academic and attendance requirements.Creary, an attractive right-handed batsman, made it to the trials, but was left out because of poor form.The chief selector insisted there was a rigorous process in choosing players.“We started over the first weekend with 45 youngsters and we interchanged and kept introducing new players from right across the island. We got a good look and the selection panel engaged the (schoolboy) coaches who were used like scouts because they would know their own players and would have seen players they played against.“That way we got a good, rounded perspective of how players performed throughout the year because just looking at statistics isn’t always the best way of selecting players. We had a couple trial games… three-day games and one-day games and a lot of net sessions led by Mr Robert Samuels as coach,” he explained.Hinds added that players who were overlooked for this tournament should not be disheartened.“It doesn’t say the ones left out are not good enough. There are also youngsters who are young enough to make the Under-19 team in another year or two. It’s for them to work on their weaknesses… so they can give themselves the best chance to make the national team (in the future),” the former West Indies left-hander said.There was a last-minute adjustment to the Jamaican set-up when Shawn Lodge replaced Dennis McGarvey, who injured a leg two days ago.Jamaica open their account against Trinidad & Tobago, while defending three-day champions Barbados battle Guyana, and home team Leeward Islands clash with historic rivals Windward Islands.Those six traditional regional territories will be joined by the ICC Americas Under-20 team for the 50-overs phase of the tournament which runs from August 10 to 20.Squad — Ramaal Lewis (capt), Fabian Allen, Tristan Coleman, Odaine McCatty, Nicholas Walters, Leroy Lug, Brandon King, Shawn Lodge, Romaine Morris, Thavi Spencer, Roshane Manning, Christopher Powell, Marquino Mindley, Malcolm White.Jamaica’s Under-19 cricket team before they depart Sabina Park for the Norman Manley International Airport en route to St Kitts yesterday. (PHOTO: GARFIELD ROBINSON)

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Best U-19s available, says Hinds