Geoff Lawson warns Oz selectors against 'premature selection' of first Ashes Test squad

Former Australian Test fast bowler Geoff Lawson has warned Australian selectors against premature selection of the squad for the first winter Ashes Test and insisted that all spots must be won the hard way.

National selectors will name Australia's squad for the November 21 Ashes opener on November 12 leaving just two Sheffield Shield rounds to settle on a side capable of reclaiming the Ashes from England.

According to News.com.au, Lawson said that naming a squad nine days before the first Test revived memories of Cricket Australia's (CA) ridiculed Ashes marketing stunt of 2010, which set the tone for the panic and confusion engulfing Australia's 3-1 loss to Andrew Strauss-led England side

Stating that half way through the third Shield match would be the ideal time to pick the squad for the first Ashes Test, Lawson also said that he wants Mitchell Johnson in Australia's Test line-up if the left-armer can prove his mettle with the red ball, although he added that players can earn their spot in the three first class games before the Test.

Veteran Johnson, who has impressed on Australia's one-day tour of the subcontinent, will have just the second round Sheffield Shield clash against South Australia in Perth to press his claims for a Test recall against England, the report added.