Fawad Ahmed included in Australia squad for Ashes tour

Australia have named their 17-man test squad to contest both the upcoming tour of the West Indies and the next Ashes series in the United Kingdom later this summer.

The Baggy Greens, who won the last battle for the famous old urn by whitewashing England 5-0 on home territory, have rewarded Pakistani-born leg spinner Fawad Ahmed for his fine form in the Sheffield Shield with a place in the travelling party.

Other notable inclusions include Middlesex captain Adam Voges and New South Wales wicketkeeper Peter Nevill, both of whom have also yet to make their test debuts at ages 35 and 29 respectively.

There was no place for Glenn Maxwell, however, while James Faulkner, man of the match in the Cricket World Cup final victory over New Zealand, also surprisingly misses out.

Experienced fast bowler Ryan Harris will apparently miss the two-test series in the Caribbean as his wife is pregnant but is scheduled link-up with Michael Clarke's side in time for the Ashes.

James Pattinson will join Harris in missing the West Indies trip but has not been ruled out of the entire summer as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.

"The Test team has performed very well in recent times, but the big challenge is to do that away from home," national selector Rod Marsh said.

"We believe this squad has sufficient depth for these important Test matches against the West Indies and England and will give us the best chance of success."

Australia have not won the Ashes on enemy soil for 14 years but will head into the third series in as many years brimming with confidence after their one-day side secured a fifth world title in such emphatic fashion.

England, meanwhile, are at a decidedly low ebb after their woefully inept efforts down under and head coach Peter Moores will be facing enormous scrutiny as his team attempt to focus on test matters with their own trip to the West Indies next month.