'Secret squad' of eight Oz bowlers kept 'on standby' for 'return Ashes' series

A secret squad of eight Australian bowlers is reportedly being kept on standby to tackle England and counter the perils of modern fast bowling in the return Ashes series.

With trio Mitchell Starc, Jackson Bird and James Pattinson injured, Australia has reportedly decided to pick a squad of eight bowlers whose workloads will be logged daily throughout the summer with a view to having them ready at any time.

According to News.com.au, the states which host the bowlers, probably including young fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, have been informed of their identity but not the players themselves.

Confirming the move, Cricket Australia (CA) team performance boss Pat Howard said that data from the daily workloads of the bowlers have given to CA officials like himself and coach Darren Lehmann, adding that there will always a replacement pool for the bowlers playing in the return Ashes series.

The report mentioned that the list is certain to include Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Johnson, Ben Hilfenhaus and Hazlewood, with Nathan Coulter-Nile, Ben Cutting and South Australian Chadd Sayers possibilities for the final berths.

When Starc, Bird and Pattinson return from injury they are likely to replace bowlers on the list, the report added.