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The Ashes returns, and with it comes cricket’s most storied rivalry as England and Australia prepare to write the next chapter in a battle that has defined generations. The previous Ashes series in England delivered drama, entertainment and unforgettable cricket, and from the moment it ended, the build-up to this contest down under has been relentless. Both sides enter the series with contrasting builds but equally high expectations. Australia, the current holders of the urn, have had their share of injury concerns in the lead-up to this battle, whereas England, under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, arrive with a brand of cricket that has reshaped their Test fortunes and reinvigorated their identity. It all kicks off at the Perth Stadium before the caravan moves to Brisbane for the day-night Test, then on to Adelaide and Melbourne, with the final Test to be played in Sydney. For Australia, it became a race against time for their talismanic skipper Pat Cummins after he was diagnosed with a lumbar stress injury earlier in the year. The hosts will be without him for the opener, though he has started bowling in the nets and is likely to be fit for the second Test. Cummins’ absence was anticipated, but what has come as an unexpected blow is the unavailability of Josh Hazlewood, who picked up a hamstring injury in a recent Sheffield Shield match. In Cummins’ absence, Steve Smith will lead the side and command a new-look pace attack. Mitchell Starc will spearhead the attack in Perth, while Scott Boland, less experienced than Starc but with proven credentials in Australian conditions, looks set to feature. The third seamer is likely to be Brendan Doggett, although Michael Neser has been drafted in as cover following Hazlewood’s injury. There may not be much on offer for the spinners in Perth, but Nathan Lyon should come into play as the series progresses. With the bat, Sam Konstas, who featured in all three Tests in the West Indies, has been omitted after failing to make a significant impact. Jake Weatherald is in line for a debut and is expected to partner Usman Khawaja at the top. Marnus Labuschagne returns to the Test fold following an impressive Sheffield Shield campaign. The batting core remains stable with Steve Smith, Travis Head and Alex Carey, while Josh Inglis provides wicketkeeping cover. Australia also boast two quality all-rounders in Beau Webster and Cameron Green, with Green likely to get the nod considering the quality he provides with both bat and ball.
On the other hand, England arrive to reclaim the Ashes urn, which they last held in 2015, but the task at hand is a formidable one. This is arguably the sternest examination yet for the Stokes-McCullum era. Their last tour down under came in 2021-22, where Australia handed them a 4-0 hammering. Stokes leads a side containing only five players who have previously played a Test in Australia, including the skipper himself. England, who usually announce their playing XI a day or two before a Test, have instead named a 12-man squad this time, keeping their cards close to their chest regarding team balance. The key decision revolves around whether they opt for an all-pace attack or include Shoaib Bashir as the lone specialist spinner. The headline from the squad announcement was Mark Wood overcoming a hamstring scare he sustained in the warm-up game against the England Lions. Alongside Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse give the tourists a varied set of pace options should they go with an all-seam lineup, with Stokes himself also a bowling option. On the batting front, England arrived in Australia with a largely settled lineup, with the only question surrounding Ollie Pope’s spot. After Harry Brook replaced Pope as vice-captain following the India series, there were speculations that Pope might not retain the number 3 position, with Jacob Bethell touted as a possible replacement. However, Pope quietened all debate with a century and a 90 in the warm-up fixture against the Lions, sealing his place in the XI. The rest of the batting unit is settled, with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett pairing up top, followed by the Yorkshire master and apprentice in Joe Root and Harry Brook, with Ben Stokes and the wicketkeeper Jamie Smith to follow. England have been winless on their last three tours down under, and their record in Ashes openers in Australia does not make for encouraging reading either. The last time they began an away Ashes series with a win was back in the 1986-87 tour in Brisbane. Despite those numbers, with Australia missing both Cummins and Hazlewood for the opener, this feels like a huge opportunity for Stokes and Co. to land the first punch. Two heavyweights are set to leave nothing in the tank, but who will strike the opening blow?
Australia Squad (First Test): Steve Smith (Captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (Wicketkeeper), Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.
England Squad: Ben Stokes (Captain), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (Wicketkeeper), Mark Wood.
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On the other hand, England arrive to reclaim the Ashes urn, which they last held in 2015, but the task at hand is a formidable one. This is arguably the sternest examination yet for the Stokes-McCullum era. Their last tour down under came in 2021-22, where Australia handed them a 4-0 hammering. Stokes leads a side containing only five players who have previously played a Test in Australia, including the skipper himself. England, who usually announce their playing XI a day or two before a Test, have instead named a 12-man squad this time, keeping their cards close to their chest regarding team balance. The key decision revolves around whether they opt for an all-pace attack or include Shoaib Bashir as the lone specialist spinner. The headline from the squad announcement was Mark Wood overcoming a hamstring scare he sustained in the warm-up game against the England Lions. Alongside Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse give the tourists a varied set of pace options should they go with an all-seam lineup, with Stokes himself also a bowling option. On the batting front, England arrived in Australia with a largely settled lineup, with the only question surrounding Ollie Pope’s spot. After Harry Brook replaced Pope as vice-captain following the India series, there were speculations that Pope might not retain the number 3 position, with Jacob Bethell touted as a possible replacement. However, Pope quietened all debate with a century and a 90 in the warm-up fixture against the Lions, sealing his place in the XI. The rest of the batting unit is settled, with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett pairing up top, followed by the Yorkshire master and apprentice in Joe Root and Harry Brook, with Ben Stokes and the wicketkeeper Jamie Smith to follow. England have been winless on their last three tours down under, and their record in Ashes openers in Australia does not make for encouraging reading either. The last time they began an away Ashes series with a win was back in the 1986-87 tour in Brisbane. Despite those numbers, with Australia missing both Cummins and Hazlewood for the opener, this feels like a huge opportunity for Stokes and Co. to land the first punch. Two heavyweights are set to leave nothing in the tank, but who will strike the opening blow?
Australia Squad (First Test): Steve Smith (Captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (Wicketkeeper), Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.
England Squad: Ben Stokes (Captain), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (Wicketkeeper), Mark Wood.
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Warning:
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2. No making fun of player's, official's, coaching staff's names.
3. Do not add any references to media, their social media or post any pictures or screenshots from other sports websites.
4. Stick to commenting on this match. There is no need to bring other countries into the match discussion as there are plenty of other threads where those discussions c
an be added.
