Australia on Wednesday (November 17) named a 15-member squad for the first two Tests of the upcoming five-match Ashes series.

In what will be Australia's first Test series since last summer's Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Usman Khawaja has been recalled to the side.

Khawaja, who had been ignored by selectors since being dropped during the 2019 Ashes, will compete with Travis Head for the middle order spot with incumbents Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, and Cameron Green all looking likely starters.

"Usman Khawaja has been in great touch," said selector George Bailey.

"He brings a calm, consistent and experienced component to the batting line up and is a proven run scorer at test level. He also has the ability to bat across a range of positions in the batting order."

Uncapped Michael Neser and Jhye Richardson are the back-up pacers in the squad for the first two Tests in Brisbane and Adelaide.

"Jhye is seeing the rewards of concentrating on his red ball cricket in the build up to this series. We know he has an exceptional skill set and are excited about what he brings to the team now that his body is back on track," Bailey said.

Neser had returned to training following a minor hamstring strain to retain his place in the squad, the team said in a statement.

The selectors have picked uncapped leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson as Nathan Lyon's backup while also naming Marcus Harris as David Warner's opening partner.

Australia's hero in the recently-concluded T20 World Cup final, Mitchell Marsh, didn’t find a place in the Ashes squad for the first two Tests.

The first Test starts on December 8 at Gabba while the second pink ball Test is due to be played at the Adelaide Oval from December 16.

Australia’s squad for first two Ashes Tests:

Tim Paine (C), Pat Cummins (VC), Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner