Aussies struck Ashes blow as Joe Burns leaves England

Test incumbent Joe Burns appears up against it to make Australia’s Ashes squad after leaving Lancashire for personal reasons.

Recalled to the Test side for the series against Sri Lanka earlier this year, the 29-year-old made a monster 180 in Canberra to put himself in line for an Ashes berth.

Burns joined Lancashire to familiarise himself with English conditions but will return home to Australia after just one match.

“Lancashire Cricket wishes Joe all the best, and it would be appreciated if his privacy is respected during this time,” a statement read.

Burns made 10 runs in Lancashire’s 10-wicket win over Northamptonshire last week.

He has been replaced in the squad by fellow Australian Jake Lehmann, who was on a white-ball contract with the county.

Burns’ hopes of making the Ashes squad had already been made more difficult by the likely returns of David Warner and Steve Smith.

But the Queensland batsman was also left out of the Australia A group that will take part in Ashes auditions alongside the Cricket World Cup.

Recent batsmen Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Bancroft and Matt Renshaw were also excluded, with the selectors promising to value their county runs.

"We have made it clear that strong form with their county teams will be taken into account," Trevor Hohns said in April.