All-rounder big hitter batsmen Glenn Maxwell has been called into Australia's Ashes squad as cover for vice-captain opening batsmen David Warner, but Steve Smith's side remain confident the big-hitting batsman will take on England in the first Test. Warner hurt his neck on Tuesday and the star opener showed some signs of discomfort during a 30-minute session in the nets at the Gabba on Wednesday. Australia captain Smith fronted the media in Brisbane afterwards and revealed selectors were considering a replacement player if Warner was unable to prove his fitness before day one on Thursday.

Maxwell added to #Ashes squad: https://t.co/O7RqTQ1W7o pic.twitter.com/y5le7v7DR6

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) November 22, 2017

Skipper Steve Smith and Cricket Australia's hierarchy believe Warner will face England but they have opted to bring in Maxwell as a precaution. Maxwell was in contention to claim the number six role in Australia's batting line-up, but the entertaining Victorian lost out to surprise inclusion Shaun Marsh. The 29-year-old has played seven Tests for Australia, scoring a century and 339 runs at an average of 26.07 only. Maxwell, who has played the last four Tests for Australia, was left out of the 13-man squad in Brisbane, with Shaun Marsh preferred at No.6. In the event Warner is a last-minute scratching he would come into the line-up in the middle order and Marsh would join debutant Cameron Bancroft as an opener. The Victorian would be making his home Test debut in the event he was required at the Gabba. Smith, however, believes Warner will be fit to play.