Paine moves attention to first Ashes Test

Usman Khawaja has convinced Tim Paine he is ready for next week's first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, where James Pattinson is likely to make his long-awaited return.

Khawaja wasn't passed fit for Australia's intra-squad clash, which finished with a match-winning knock of 93 not out from Cameron Bancroft in Southampton on Thursday.

But an early finish to the four-day game meant the 32-year-old, who hasn't played since tweaking his hamstring in Australia's World Cup loss to South Africa on July 6, was afforded some time in the middle.

Khawaja was put through his paces during the final stages of Bancroft's innings, doing fitness work with support staff on the oval adjacent to the Rose Bowl.

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The left-hander then faced his teammates while batting with Paine during a centre-wicket session.

"He's 100 per cent. He was running a little bit between the wickets, not at full intensity," Test captain Paine told reporters.

"But Usman has been playing a lot of cricket, he has been over here for months.

"It wasn't ideal he didn't play in this game but I think he's going to be fit and available for selection next week."

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Khawaja wasn't the only injury concern for Australia in Hamsphire, where Mitchell Starc was sent for precautionary scans and didn't bowl on Wednesday because of a sore knee.

Starc rolled his arm over on Thursday, striking Paine's arm during a lively spell.

One of next week's key selection dilemmas will be deciding which one of Starc, Pattinson and Josh Hazlewood is left out of the side.

A fired-up Pattinson, who hasn't played international cricket since 2016 because of injury woes, was arguably the most threatening bowler during Australia's low-scoring selection showdown.

"Pattinson was outstanding again, he has been for the whole Australia A tour," Paine said.

"But he took it up a gear in this game, particularly in that second innings. He's starting to get really excited about what might be ahead of him in the next week or so."

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Spearhead Pat Cummins was predictably impressive during the intra-squad match, while Paine delivered more moderate praise for Hazlewood, who hasn't played for Australia since January because of a back injury, and Starc.

"Both bowled really well today," the wicketkeeper said.

"Every time Josh has bowled in a match he has got better and better ... he is going to be a key bowler for us at stages during this Ashes.

"Starcy is coming off a lot of white-ball cricket, he takes a little bit of time to adjust.

"But he'll be working hard next week. When he's on song he will be playing a huge role in these Ashes."

2019 Qantas Ashes Tour of England

Tour match: Hick XII v Haddin XII, July 23-26

First Test: Edgbaston, August 1-5

Tour match: Australians v Worcestershire, August 7-9

Second Test: Lord's, August 14-18

Third Test: Headingley, August 22-26

Tour match: Australians v Derbyshire, August 29-31

Fourth Test: Old Trafford, September 4-8

Fifth Test: The Oval, September 12-16