Cricket: Border's cheeky swipe at England's Empire XI'

BRISBANE - Rather than bag national selectors for naming an extended Ashes squad, ex-Australian skipper Allan Border has taken aim at England by saying they look more like the "Empire XI" because of their overseas-born players.

Australian selectors have been panned for announcing a 17-man first test outfit - one more than England's entire touring squad.

Their uncertainty ensures there are major question marks over the likes of Mike Hussey, Marcus North and Nathan Hauritz ahead of this month's Ashes opener in Brisbane.

But Border was happier putting the English squad through the wringer in Brisbane yesterday.

Among the squad, skipper Andrew Strauss is South African-born alongside Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott while talented left-handed batsman Eoin Morgan is Irish.

"I don't know whether they should be called England - it should be the Empire XI," Border said.

"They got any Poms in their side? They are all South Africans and Irishmen - let's question where these blokes are actually from."

But Border got serious when it came to Australia's first test outfit and said naming an extended squad ensured healthy competition.

"Selectors had no alternative but to name a big squad," he said.

"We've still got some Shield games to play and there's probably some spots up for grabs.

"I am wondering if Australia should bother turning up, that's how bad we are going according to the media."

Border said naming 17 players showed Australia's depth. "We've got 17 guys who could all play in that first test," he said.

"That's a good thing, rather than scraping the bottom of the barrel [for players]."

But Western Australian coach Mickey Arthur questioned the selectors' wisdom after his experienced charges Hussey and North came under pressure ahead of the Ashes. They will be under the spotlight in WA's clash with Victoria at the MCG from today.

Arthur believed Australia would have been better to announce their first test team after this week's Shield games.

"Because then you present a structured front," he said. "You're presenting to the opposition what your best team is, what your best starting line-up is and what their roles are."

Arthur thought Australia would regain the Ashes but had been impressed with how settled England looked.

England are so comfortable with their line-up they will send top-line bowlers James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Steve Finn and Graeme Swann to Brisbane's Allan Border Field nets to acclimatise from today.

- AAP