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England's Ashes Tour of Australia (2025/26)

Who will win the Ashes 2025/26 series?

  • England

    Votes: 2 33.3%

  • Australia

    Votes: 4 66.7%
  • Total voters
    6
Ball Blazer

Ball Blazer

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The England Men’s selection panel has named a 16-strong squad for the Ashes Test tour of Australia

England Men's Test Squad (16-players):
  • Ben Stokes (Durham) - Captain
  • Jofra Archer (Sussex)
  • Gus Atkinson (Surrey)
  • Shoaib Bashir (Somerset)
  • Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire)
  • Harry Brook (Yorkshire) – Vice-Captain
  • Brydon Carse (Durham)
  • Zak Crawley (Kent)
  • Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
  • Will Jacks (Surrey)
  • Ollie Pope (Surrey)
  • Matthew Potts (Durham)
  • Joe Root (Yorkshire)
  • Jamie Smith (Surrey)
  • Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire)
  • Mark Wood (Durham)
  • England Men’s ODI Squad (16-players):
  • Harry Brook (Yorkshire) - Captain
  • Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire)
  • Jofra Archer (Sussex)
  • Sonny Baker (Hampshire)
  • Tom Banton (Somerset)
  • Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire)
  • Jos Buttler (Lancashire)
  • Brydon Carse (Durham)
  • Sam Curran (Surrey)
  • Liam Dawson (Hampshire)
  • Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
  • Jamie Overton (Surrey)
  • Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
  • Joe Root (Yorkshire)
  • Jamie Smith (Surrey)
  • Luke Wood (Lancashire)

Harry Brook has been confirmed as England’s vice-captain for the Ashes tour, replacing Ollie Pope.

Durham fast bowler Mark Wood returns to the Test squad following his recovery from a left knee injury.

Somerset spinner Shoaib Bashir is available again after recovering from the finger injury sustained during the home series against India.

Durham seamer Matthew Potts and Surrey batting all-rounder Will Jacks are both included. Potts last featured in December 2024 against New Zealand, while Jacks won his most recent Test cap in December 2022 against Pakistan. Jacks will miss the white-ball tour of New Zealand with a broken finger but is expected to be fit for the Ashes.

Test Captain Ben Stokes continues his recovery from the shoulder injury that ruled him out of the final Test against India at the Kia Oval and remains on track to be available for the start of the Test series in November.

The England Lions squad for the tour of Australia, which will mirror the start of the Ashes with matches in Perth, Canberra, and Brisbane, will be announced in due course. The Ashes squad will assemble in Perth during the second week of November.

England Men’s Ashes Test Tour of Australia Schedule: (Timings local)

1st Test: Australia v England, 21-25 November 2025, Optus Stadium, Perth, 10.30am start

2nd Test: Australia v England, 4-8 December 2025, GABBA, Brisbane, 2.30pm start

3rd Test: Australia v England, 17-21 December 2025, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, 10.30am start

4th Test: Australia v England, 25-29 December 2025, MCG, Melbourne, 10.30am start

5th Test: Australia v England, 3-7 January 2026, SCG, Sydney, 10.30am start
 
For England, alot will depend on the fitness of Archer, Atkinson, Wood and Stokes
 
kron said:
3-1 Aussies.
I expect India to make the wtc final though
And win this time.
Although we know how sena teams like to rig matches by playing in their preferred conditions.
Click to expand...

I don't see England winning any Test on Aussie soil. I expect 4-0 or 4-1 to Aussies.

I think WTC final should be Australia vs South Africa.

:inti
 

Labuschagne boosts Ashes case with another century​

Marnus Labuschagne's push for a recall to Australia's Test squad for the Ashes received another boost as he hit his third century in four innings for Queensland.

The 31-year-old top-order batter made 105 off 91 balls in his side's One-Day Cup defeat by Tasmania, just three days after he scored 160 against the same opponents in Australia's red-ball competition, the Sheffield Shield.

He also scored 130 off 118 in Queensland's One-Day Cup opener against Victoria in September.

Labuschagne, who has compiled 11 centuries in 58 Tests, was dropped from Australia's Test squad for July's series against West Indies.

He faces competition from the likes of Travis Head, Sam Konstas and Nathan McSweeney to force his way back into the side, possibly as Usman Khawaja's opening partner.

Australia left Labuschagne out of their squad for this month's one-day international series against India, but called up top-order batter Matthew Renshaw.

Labuschagne has not scored a Test century since July 2023 - a knock of 111 against England - and is averaging just 24.74 in the format since then, but he attributes his upturn in form to taking his game back to basics.

"I felt good out there," Labuschagne said after his Shield century against Tasmania.

"I feel like I've really stripped it back and my focus is just scoring runs. It's not really too technical - just what I need out there to score runs."

The first Ashes Test is scheduled to begin on Friday, 21 November in Perth.

England have already named their squad for the Ashes but the Aussies are not expected to announce their party until closer to the first Test.

BBC
 
England playing for 'moral' Ashes victory

David Warner predicts Australia will win the Ashes 4-0 because England will only be concerned about a "moral victory".

Former Australia opener Warner competed in his final Ashes series in 2023, when his side retained the urn with a 2-2 draw in England.

Before the final Test, England batsman Harry Brook suggested that England levelling the series would represent a "moral victory" for his side.

Asked whether Australia's playing style or England's Bazball approach would come out on top in next month's series, Warner referenced Brook's comments, saying: "The Australian way, because we're playing for the Ashes and they're playing for a moral victory.

"I think [Australia will win] 4-0. There's going to be a washout somewhere, generally Sydney. If the captain doesn't play they might win one game."

Warner referred to the fitness doubts over Australia skipper Pat Cummins, who faces a race against time to be fit for the first Test in Perth on 21 November.

Reports in Australia last week said Cummins had been ruled out of the first Test and was a doubt for the remainder of the series.

The 32-year-old has been struggling with a back stress injury and last played a competitive match in July.

Though Cummins has resumed running, bowling is yet to feature in his rehabilitation.

"I wouldn't put a percentage on it, but I'd say probably less likely than likely, but I've still got a bit of time," said Cummins.

"We get into bowling preparation I think next week, so probably a couple of weeks away before actually putting on the spikes and bowling out on turf.

"But it's been a good couple of weeks, each session feels better and better."

Australia coach Andrew McDonald said on Friday that Cummins would likely need a minimum of four weeks of bowling preparation to have any chance of featuring in the first Test.

Cummins agreed, saying: "You'd want at least probably a month in the nets.

"If you play a Test match, you want to make sure you're right to bowl 20 overs in a day and you don't have to really think about it.

"So four weeks is pretty tight. But I think somewhere around that mark."

Given Cummins' timeframe, there is also no guarantee he will be fit for the second Test in Brisbane on 4 December.

"The first step is trying to kind of give me a shot at being right, and then we'll work it out," said Cummins.

Should Cummins miss the first Test, former skipper Steve Smith is likely to captain the side - with Scott Boland stepping in for Cummins in attack.

Australia have held the urn since 2018, while England are without a Test win down under since 2011.

England have their own doubts over captain Ben Stokes, who has been troubled with a shoulder injury since the Test series against India.

Warner says Australia's chances of winning the series would improve if they avoid antagonising Stokes.

"I had the fortunate privilege to share a change room with him when he was younger and he has evolved into a serious cricketer and a fantastic leader," he said.

"If we can sort of not poke that bear and get him up and about, I think that will help the Australians enormously."

BBC
 
Australia haven't won in England since 2001.

England haven't won in Australia since 2011.

England will come all guns blazing at Australia. India didn't have anyone to support Bumrah last year but England have Archer, Wood, Carse, Tongue, Stokes. Chances are England winning the Ashes 3-1.
 
Shoaib Bashir is a real weak-link in the England bowling. I think Australia will try to take him down immediately.

Australia shouldn't be too bothered about Cummins missing the first test. Scotty Boland is fantastic replacement.
 
Ponting predicts Australia's tough selection calls for Ashes

The Australian great takes a look at the questions both teams must answer prior to the upcoming Ashes series.

ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting has revealed the tough selection calls Australia must make for the upcoming Ashes series and what England needs to do well to ensure they are competitive.

The focus of the cricket world will be on Australia from November 21 for the five-match Ashes series between the arch-rivals that will play a major role in shaping the ICC World Test Championship standings for the ongoing cycle.

While Australia will enter the series as favourites based purely on the fact they haven't lost a series on home soil since 2011 and have held on to the Ashes urn since 2018, England will travel Down Under full of confidence after they were able to draw the most recent series against the Aussies at home in 2023.

Ponting spoke in depth about the Ashes with host Sanjana Ganesan on the most recent episode of The ICC Review and the Australian great dissected a number of tough selection calls his former side must make ahead of the first Test in Perth.

Konstas v Labuschagne in head-to-head battle

Much of the pre-series chat in Australia surrounds the top of the hosts’ batting order and whether young gun Sam Konstas will retain his place in the XI despite an inconsistent start to his international career.

Ponting believes the toughest decision selectors face is whether to stick with Konstas, or recall experienced right-hander Marnus Labuschagne and partner him with Usman Khawaja at the top of Australia's batting order.

"We are in a really interesting little phase right now with the talk about the selections for this first Test match because it was well planned by Cricket Australia to have four Sheffield Shield games leading into the first Test,” Ponting began.

"Two of those games have been played already. Some guys have been standouts, other guys that are in the reckoning haven't really taken their opportunity to the maximum just yet.

"We know Sam Konstas has been the incumbent as he played the last series in the West Indies, but he's one that probably hasn't capitalised as much as he would have liked in those first two (domestic) games.

"These players have still got probably four innings to go before that Test team has to get picked and we'll have a bit of a clearer picture then.

"Marnus Labuschagne is the obvious one. Marnus, at his absolute best, is in Australia's best team every day of the week.

"But he hasn't been able to find his best form over the last couple of years. And it looks like now back at state level, he's starting to find it again. It is certainly starting to look that way and he is a lot more confident in scoring.

"I think he's made four centuries in his last six innings, so he's going well, even though there is still a long, long way out."

Webster must play if fit

Cameron Green is expected to line-up in Perth (fitness pending) and Ponting thinks fellow all-rounder Beau Webster should also be included provided he can feature at domestic level prior to the first Test.

Webster has been battling an ankle issue, but has proven invaluable for the Aussies since debuting last summer given his all-round talents with the bat, ball and in the field.

"Cameron Green is the other (unknown) one right now," Ponting said.

"He's actually pulled out of this one-day series (against India) with some stiffness in his side. Now we know that he hasn't bowled for a long time. And if he bowls or if he doesn't bowl, it could have a big impact on the way that the Australian batting lines up for the first Test. If he's 100 percent fit and ready to bowl properly in Perth, then they might think about the batting order being slightly different.

"Do they need Webster then at No.6, or has Webster done enough to keep himself in the side anyway. I'd like to think that he has, even if Green is bowling, he'll probably be on limited workload anyway, so I think Webster deserves to be in the side.

"So then it comes down to whether they want to back in the youth of Konstas at the start of a national series, or if the sheer weight of runs for Marnus is going to get him back into the team. If it does, I think he'll be in the team as an opening batter."

Fast start crucial for England

With Australian skipper Pat Cummins in doubt for the first Ashes Test due to a back injury, Ponting believes England will get a great chance to make a fast start in Perth.

"They will come here well prepared. They'll have a good team, I think, to compete in Australia," Ponting said.

"The ultra aggressive nature of the way they play, I think it's only ever been designed to stand up and beat Australia in Australia.

“That's the reason that they're playing this brand is they know that they'll have to play that way in Australia to win.

"Now they've only won four Test matches in Australia this century. So they are going to have to turn history on its head to win a series here.

"Australia will start favourites, you know, and what's said in the, what's said in the press and leading up doesn't matter one bit.

"It's what you, it's how you turn up and how you're ready to play for that first morning in Perth and that can sometimes dictate the way the whole series goes.

"You've to make sure you're ready for that first half an hour or first hour of the first Test match and try and sort of set the momentum in your favour there and then."

Pressure on Root to break duck

While England veteran Joe Root has achieved pretty much everything possible in Test cricket, one accolade that is still to escape him is that he is yet to make a Test century on Australian soil.

Ponting thinks there's every chance Root will break that duck during this Ashes series, although he knows it will be eating away at the right-hander during the lead-up.

"I think he's better equipped now as a player than ever," Ponting said.

"Other times he's come here to Australia, he's had one or two little technical issues that on the extra bouncy wickets, the Australian fast bowlers have been able to exploit.

"And I have watched the way that he's played over the last 12 or 18 months, it looks like he's worked really hard on taking those motive dismissals out of play.

"But you also know that little man that sits on your shoulder, he keeps telling you, you haven't done well here in the past and you haven't got 100 here.

"That's what it's a mental thing for him this series more than anything else. His game is magnificent at the moment. He's got to get over that over that little mental hurdle and get 100. And I actually think he will get that 100 this time around."

Pre-series banter

David Warner has already come out and joked that England will be playing for a moral victory during the Ashes, while former foe Stuart Broad labelled the Aussies the worst Australian side he has seen in years.

Ponting isn't surprised by the back-and-forth between the teams, but said much will be forgotten when the action begins on November 21.

"I'm surprised it's taken so long for Warner and Broad to have a crack back at each other. It normally happens a couple of months out before the first Ashes Test and this one's only a couple of weeks out," Ponting noted.

"Everyone will try and tell you that you know, it's just another game of cricket. Well ashes cricket It's just not just another game. It's different. It goes to a different level.

"There's more media speculation, there's more spotlight. We're talking more, I don't know how much we've talked ever about a selection of what is what we've got coming up with the Australian team.

"For the last couple of months, selection for the Ashes has been spoken about. And unusually this time around as well, I'm pretty sure that I can pick England's team for the first Test right now, where you can't actually pick Australia's.”

ICC
 
BouncerGuy said:
Ponting predicts Australia's tough selection calls for Ashes

The Australian great takes a look at the questions both teams must answer prior to the upcoming Ashes series.

ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting has revealed the tough selection calls Australia must make for the upcoming Ashes series and what England needs to do well to ensure they are competitive.

The focus of the cricket world will be on Australia from November 21 for the five-match Ashes series between the arch-rivals that will play a major role in shaping the ICC World Test Championship standings for the ongoing cycle.

While Australia will enter the series as favourites based purely on the fact they haven't lost a series on home soil since 2011 and have held on to the Ashes urn since 2018, England will travel Down Under full of confidence after they were able to draw the most recent series against the Aussies at home in 2023.

Ponting spoke in depth about the Ashes with host Sanjana Ganesan on the most recent episode of The ICC Review and the Australian great dissected a number of tough selection calls his former side must make ahead of the first Test in Perth.

Konstas v Labuschagne in head-to-head battle

Much of the pre-series chat in Australia surrounds the top of the hosts’ batting order and whether young gun Sam Konstas will retain his place in the XI despite an inconsistent start to his international career.

Ponting believes the toughest decision selectors face is whether to stick with Konstas, or recall experienced right-hander Marnus Labuschagne and partner him with Usman Khawaja at the top of Australia's batting order.

"We are in a really interesting little phase right now with the talk about the selections for this first Test match because it was well planned by Cricket Australia to have four Sheffield Shield games leading into the first Test,” Ponting began.

"Two of those games have been played already. Some guys have been standouts, other guys that are in the reckoning haven't really taken their opportunity to the maximum just yet.

"We know Sam Konstas has been the incumbent as he played the last series in the West Indies, but he's one that probably hasn't capitalised as much as he would have liked in those first two (domestic) games.

"These players have still got probably four innings to go before that Test team has to get picked and we'll have a bit of a clearer picture then.

"Marnus Labuschagne is the obvious one. Marnus, at his absolute best, is in Australia's best team every day of the week.

"But he hasn't been able to find his best form over the last couple of years. And it looks like now back at state level, he's starting to find it again. It is certainly starting to look that way and he is a lot more confident in scoring.

"I think he's made four centuries in his last six innings, so he's going well, even though there is still a long, long way out."

Webster must play if fit

Cameron Green is expected to line-up in Perth (fitness pending) and Ponting thinks fellow all-rounder Beau Webster should also be included provided he can feature at domestic level prior to the first Test.

Webster has been battling an ankle issue, but has proven invaluable for the Aussies since debuting last summer given his all-round talents with the bat, ball and in the field.

"Cameron Green is the other (unknown) one right now," Ponting said.

"He's actually pulled out of this one-day series (against India) with some stiffness in his side. Now we know that he hasn't bowled for a long time. And if he bowls or if he doesn't bowl, it could have a big impact on the way that the Australian batting lines up for the first Test. If he's 100 percent fit and ready to bowl properly in Perth, then they might think about the batting order being slightly different.

"Do they need Webster then at No.6, or has Webster done enough to keep himself in the side anyway. I'd like to think that he has, even if Green is bowling, he'll probably be on limited workload anyway, so I think Webster deserves to be in the side.

"So then it comes down to whether they want to back in the youth of Konstas at the start of a national series, or if the sheer weight of runs for Marnus is going to get him back into the team. If it does, I think he'll be in the team as an opening batter."

Fast start crucial for England

With Australian skipper Pat Cummins in doubt for the first Ashes Test due to a back injury, Ponting believes England will get a great chance to make a fast start in Perth.

"They will come here well prepared. They'll have a good team, I think, to compete in Australia," Ponting said.

"The ultra aggressive nature of the way they play, I think it's only ever been designed to stand up and beat Australia in Australia.

“That's the reason that they're playing this brand is they know that they'll have to play that way in Australia to win.

"Now they've only won four Test matches in Australia this century. So they are going to have to turn history on its head to win a series here.

"Australia will start favourites, you know, and what's said in the, what's said in the press and leading up doesn't matter one bit.

"It's what you, it's how you turn up and how you're ready to play for that first morning in Perth and that can sometimes dictate the way the whole series goes.

"You've to make sure you're ready for that first half an hour or first hour of the first Test match and try and sort of set the momentum in your favour there and then."

Pressure on Root to break duck

While England veteran Joe Root has achieved pretty much everything possible in Test cricket, one accolade that is still to escape him is that he is yet to make a Test century on Australian soil.

Ponting thinks there's every chance Root will break that duck during this Ashes series, although he knows it will be eating away at the right-hander during the lead-up.

"I think he's better equipped now as a player than ever," Ponting said.

"Other times he's come here to Australia, he's had one or two little technical issues that on the extra bouncy wickets, the Australian fast bowlers have been able to exploit.

"And I have watched the way that he's played over the last 12 or 18 months, it looks like he's worked really hard on taking those motive dismissals out of play.

"But you also know that little man that sits on your shoulder, he keeps telling you, you haven't done well here in the past and you haven't got 100 here.

"That's what it's a mental thing for him this series more than anything else. His game is magnificent at the moment. He's got to get over that over that little mental hurdle and get 100. And I actually think he will get that 100 this time around."

Pre-series banter

David Warner has already come out and joked that England will be playing for a moral victory during the Ashes, while former foe Stuart Broad labelled the Aussies the worst Australian side he has seen in years.

Ponting isn't surprised by the back-and-forth between the teams, but said much will be forgotten when the action begins on November 21.

"I'm surprised it's taken so long for Warner and Broad to have a crack back at each other. It normally happens a couple of months out before the first Ashes Test and this one's only a couple of weeks out," Ponting noted.

"Everyone will try and tell you that you know, it's just another game of cricket. Well ashes cricket It's just not just another game. It's different. It goes to a different level.

"There's more media speculation, there's more spotlight. We're talking more, I don't know how much we've talked ever about a selection of what is what we've got coming up with the Australian team.

"For the last couple of months, selection for the Ashes has been spoken about. And unusually this time around as well, I'm pretty sure that I can pick England's team for the first Test right now, where you can't actually pick Australia's.”

ICC
Click to expand...
Bhai konstas aur Labu ko kuda kei wastei maaro.

We aussie fans are desperate for Renshaw. In a perfect world Renshaw and Campbell Kellaway should open. Usman Khawaja, Konstas and Labu, Joke opening combo.
 
mominsaigol said:
Bhai konstas aur Labu ko kuda kei wastei maaro.

We aussie fans are desperate for Renshaw. In a perfect world Renshaw and Campbell Kellaway should open. Usman Khawaja, Konstas and Labu, Joke opening combo.
Click to expand...
1) Renshaw
2) Kellaway
3) Cameron Green
4) Steve Smith
5) Travis Head
6) Webster
7) Carey

Given Marsh's gun form, Could try taking a risk and let him open but I doubt his game is suited to test. Will provs fail.
 
Smith to lead in Ashes opener as Aussies confirm Cummins blow

Cricket Australia have confirmed that Pat Cummins is expected to return to bowling shortly

Steve Smith will captain Australia in the first Ashes Test after Pat Cummins was formally ruled out of the series opener against England in Perth.

Less than a month out from the first Test, Cummins has still not yet resumed bowling as he recovers from a back stress injury. The paceman had indicated he would like to have been back with ball in hand at least four weeks out from his return.

Cricket Australia announced today that Cummins is back running and "expects to return to bowling shortly".

The 32-year-old is now pushing time to be right for the second Test in Brisbane under lights, beginning December 4, which is five-and-a-half weeks away.

The confirmation of Cummins' absence in Perth will be a blow for the home side given his leadership as well as being their leading fast bowler, though it is hardly a surprise with coach Andrew McDonald having previously conceded the right-armer's involvement to begin the series was looking increasingly unlikely.

There is a silver lining of a Cummins return from Test two or three onwards given the breaks between Tests get much shorter during the series' back-end.

It appeared unlikely Australia would have been able to carry an unchanged bowling attack through the hectic three-week stretch of the Adelaide-Melbourne-Sydney run of Tests anyway.

In the meantime, the Aussies are about as well covered as they can be to make up for the absence of the all-time great.

Steve Smith, Cummins' captaincy predecessor, is experienced in the role and has filled in for him as skipper six times since the quick took over the job. Smith also lifts with the bat when he is captain, averaging nearly 70 when in the role.

Scott Boland, who averages 12.63 with the ball at home, meanwhile shapes as the likely replacement in the bowling attack for Perth.



www.cricket.com.au

Smith to lead in Ashes opener after Cummins 'ran out of time' | cricket.com.au

Andrew McDonald hopeful the fast-bowling captain will be back for the second Test in Brisbane
www.cricket.com.au www.cricket.com.au
 
Would love to see decimation of England down under, but if Cummins is out for more than one test that’d be a huge loss.
 
Cricket Warrior said:
Smith to lead in Ashes opener as Aussies confirm Cummins blow

Cricket Australia have confirmed that Pat Cummins is expected to return to bowling shortly

Steve Smith will captain Australia in the first Ashes Test after Pat Cummins was formally ruled out of the series opener against England in Perth.

Less than a month out from the first Test, Cummins has still not yet resumed bowling as he recovers from a back stress injury. The paceman had indicated he would like to have been back with ball in hand at least four weeks out from his return.

Cricket Australia announced today that Cummins is back running and "expects to return to bowling shortly".

The 32-year-old is now pushing time to be right for the second Test in Brisbane under lights, beginning December 4, which is five-and-a-half weeks away.

The confirmation of Cummins' absence in Perth will be a blow for the home side given his leadership as well as being their leading fast bowler, though it is hardly a surprise with coach Andrew McDonald having previously conceded the right-armer's involvement to begin the series was looking increasingly unlikely.

There is a silver lining of a Cummins return from Test two or three onwards given the breaks between Tests get much shorter during the series' back-end.

It appeared unlikely Australia would have been able to carry an unchanged bowling attack through the hectic three-week stretch of the Adelaide-Melbourne-Sydney run of Tests anyway.

In the meantime, the Aussies are about as well covered as they can be to make up for the absence of the all-time great.

Steve Smith, Cummins' captaincy predecessor, is experienced in the role and has filled in for him as skipper six times since the quick took over the job. Smith also lifts with the bat when he is captain, averaging nearly 70 when in the role.

Scott Boland, who averages 12.63 with the ball at home, meanwhile shapes as the likely replacement in the bowling attack for Perth.



www.cricket.com.au

Smith to lead in Ashes opener after Cummins 'ran out of time' | cricket.com.au

Andrew McDonald hopeful the fast-bowling captain will be back for the second Test in Brisbane
www.cricket.com.au www.cricket.com.au
Click to expand...
Totally disagree with Smith captaincy. Even if it's for just one match. Considering why he was kicked out as captain.

I do believe in second chances. Which he has got. But not captain. He brought disrepute to his country. Which should disqualify him from ever captaining Aus. again.
 
mominsaigol said:
1) Renshaw
2) Kellaway
3) Cameron Green
4) Steve Smith
5) Travis Head
6) Webster
7) Carey

Given Marsh's gun form, Could try taking a risk and let him open but I doubt his game is suited to test. Will provs fail.
Click to expand...
that would be so awesome if Marsh makes a test comeback. Given that Khawaja is undroppable how about a Khawaja-Marsh opening partnership?
 
U$ofA said:
Totally disagree with Smith captaincy. Even if it's for just one match. Considering why he was kicked out as captain.

I do believe in second chances. Which he has got. But not captain. He brought disrepute to his country. Which should disqualify him from ever captaining Aus. again.
Click to expand...
I think he already had a couple of captaincy stints when cummins wasn't there.
 
Obaidd said:
Would love to see decimation of England down under, but if Cummins is out for more than one test that’d be a huge loss.
Click to expand...
lol smudge is a class tactician, if anyone is the best choice after Cummo it's him also sandpaper was a long time ago
 
Cummins has a habit of taking wickets at the right time, i'm sure it'll be a miss in Perth but his replacement Scotty Boland has 62 wkts at around 16
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Vikram1989 said:
I think he already had a couple of captaincy stints when cummins wasn't there.
Click to expand...
Smudge is a better captain. But Cummo can bowl tirelessly and create opportunities which will be a very big miss. Not to forget his calmness in clutch situations.
 
est records at Perth Stadium:

Lyon ........... 29 wickets @ 20

Starc .......... 26 wickets @ 21

Hazlewood ... 16 wickets @ 19

I think everything is gonna be alright
 
aarizzler720 said:
Smudge is a better captain. But Cummo can bowl tirelessly and create opportunities which will be a very big miss. Not to forget his calmness in clutch situations.
Click to expand...
Its not about who is better but giving the leadership role to smith ,when he does not deserve it.he brought a blot and Warner was denied the chance for the same .so it cant be different routes for different people for the same stuff.

Agree with ur assessment.
 
England will get smashed here... I don't think they have any chance to win the ashes
 
aarizzler720 said:
lol smudge is a class tactician, if anyone is the best choice after Cummo it's him also sandpaper was a long time ago
Click to expand...
Cummins is irreplaceable no doubt.

Smith just scored a ton in Sheffield too, at least 1 double hundred should be on this ashes..
 

England have 'no doubts' over Ashes prep but is it enough?​


It is the biggest series of all but there will only be one - in-house - warm-up match for England.

After Saturday's third and final one-day international in New Zealand, England fly to Australia for three weeks of fine tuning before the first Ashes Test in Perth.

Their only competitive match before the series begins is a three-day warm-up against England Lions - their youthful development side. Will it be enough?

"There is nothing more the lads will want more than to raise their game as far as it has ever been, put batters under pressure, put bowlers under pressure," said Ed Barney, whose role as England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) performance director covers the Lions programme.

"I have no shadow of a doubt that three-day fixture will be a quality exposure that will continue to aid England in their preparation."

'We are confident' - how are England preparing for Australia?
Legendary former all-rounder Lord Botham said this month England's lack of warm-ups against Australian state sides "borders on arrogance". The batting struggles in the ongoing ODI series in New Zealand has not dampened such talk.

It is no secret England have tried to use the white-ball tour to aid their preparation, easing their Test players back into competitive cricket, increasing the workloads of their fast bowlers and trying to get batters time in the middle.

Fast bowling trio Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood and Josh Tongue have also been with the squads working on their own programmes with the backroom staff.

For some it has worked. Limited-overs captain Harry Brook scored a century in the first ODI and looks to be in decent form, while fast bowler Jofra Archer quickly found his groove to take 3-23 in the second match - his first outing of the winter.

However, Joe Root, Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith, all playing for the first time since the start of September, have scored 43 runs between them in four matches - leading to the issue rearing its head.

"I understand where the question comes from, the history of the game," said Barney, asked whether the discussion around the pre-Ashes schedule is frustrating.

"The interesting question is - have you looked at the Future Tours Programme? Have you looked at franchise cricket and the fact that a multi-format player left the country on 13 October and if they play in every England commitment and play in the Indian Premier League and The Hundred they will have less than two weeks off between now and the end of September?

"There is a volume of cricket that takes place that means there is a constant balancing of red-ball, white-ball, franchise and domestic cricket commitments.

"We are confident in the set-up, the approach, the time the team have got together, the ability we have had to provide a set of different preparations that are optimal for different players."

How many warm-ups have there previously been?

With the increase in international and domestic white-ball cricket, the cricket landscape has changed beyond recognition since Botham's Ashes tours.

When England won the urn in 1986-87, they began with three warm-up matches against Australian state sides, played further tour matches between each of the first four Tests and white-ball matches between the final two.

There were 84 days between the first playing day of the tour and the conclusion of the Test series. This time there will be just 56.

On England's most recent victorious tour down under, in 2010-11 under Sir Andrew Strauss, they also played three competitive first-class matches prior to the first Test, won two and went on to claim the series 3-1.

When they returned under Sir Alastair Cook in 2013-14 they followed a similar schedule but were thrashed 5-0.

Before the 4-0 defeat in 2017-18, England played a two-day match and two first-class matches prior to the first Test, while in 2021-22, another 4-0 loss, Covid-19 restrictions allowed them only two intra-squad matches featuring the Lions.

Only 109 overs were possible across seven days in those matches because of rain. There is no perfect solution.

The current set-up can point to victories in series openers in both India and Pakistan last year as justification for their approach.

Neither of those tours included warm-up matches - the hierarchy preferred training camps in the United Arab Emirates - but England won the first Test of each, before going on to lose both series.

When India won a Test series in Australia in 2018-19 they played one four-day warm-up against a Cricket Australia XI prior to the first Test and played two against Australia A when they returned and won again in 2020-21.

'Lions not a Second England XI'
It is yet to be confirmed whether this year's warm-up at Lilac Hill, which starts on 13 November, will feature a mix of squads to allow Test batters to face Test bowlers.

Having trained in an air-conditioned tent in Loughborough in recent weeks along with members of the Test side not in New Zealand such as captain Ben Stokes, a Lions squad packed with talent but with limited experience will depart for Australia this weekend.

Jordan Cox has been a regular in recent first-team squads but Rehan Ahmed, Matthew Fisher, Tom Hartley and Josh Hull are the only tourists capped at Test level.

It means England would be faced with a fresh-faced pick or the prospect of flying a replacement across the world were injury or loss of form to hit.

It has also led to questions around the purpose of the Lions side, whether it should be a Next Best XI or one looking to the future.

"The Lions is not a second team," said Barney, who replaced Mo Bobat in 2023.

"We are going after supporting the highest potential and the next best.

"We are always blending a balance of the highest potential, people we are excited about, whether with a foresight they might play for England in two to four years or we have some that might be next best in line, that is where we have the fluidity and optionality of who we select.

"There is always an element of that."

Source: BBC
 
Australian men’s squad for the first NRMA Insurance Ashes Test

The National Selection Panel (NSP) today announced a 15-player squad for the opening match of the NRMA Insurance Ashes Series against England in Perth.

Australia:

Steve Smith (NSW/Sutherland Cricket Club) (c)
Sean Abbott (NSW/ Parramatta District Cricket Club)
Scott Boland (VIC/Frankston Peninsula Cricket Club)
Alex Carey (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club)
Brendan Doggett (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club)
Cameron Green (WA/Subiaco-Floreat Cricket Club)
Josh Hazlewood (NSW/St George Cricket Club)
Travis Head (SA/Tea Tree Gully Cricket Club)
Josh Inglis (WA/Joondalup Cricket Club)
Usman Khawaja (QLD/Valley District Cricket Club)
Marnus Labuschagne (QLD/Redlands Cricket Club)
Nathan Lyon (NSW/Northern District Cricket Club)
Mitchell Starc (NSW/Manly Warringah Cricket Club)
Jake Weatherald (TAS/Kingborough Cricket Club)
Beau Webster (TAS/Kingborough Cricket Club)

Chair of Selector’s George Bailey said: “We are looking forward to the squad connecting and preparing in Perth leading on from a busy domestic and white ball schedule to kick off the Test summer.

“The squad gives us good balance and, with 14 of those chosen playing the next round of Sheffield Shield, we will continue to gather information as we move closer to the start of the first Test
 
Australia’s squad for the first Ashes Test is nearly as large as England’s entire touring party — featuring just one player in his twenties and seven aged 34 or older. Still, it looks seriously strong, even without Cummins.
 
Ball Blazer said:
Australia’s squad for the first Ashes Test is nearly as large as England’s entire touring party — featuring just one player in his twenties and seven aged 34 or older. Still, it looks seriously strong, even without Cummins.
Click to expand...
This will be a sort of last hurrah for these set of players.

Not sure how many will call it a day after the Ashes.
 
BouncerGuy said:
Australian men’s squad for the first NRMA Insurance Ashes Test

The National Selection Panel (NSP) today announced a 15-player squad for the opening match of the NRMA Insurance Ashes Series against England in Perth.

Australia:

Steve Smith (NSW/Sutherland Cricket Club) (c)
Sean Abbott (NSW/ Parramatta District Cricket Club)
Scott Boland (VIC/Frankston Peninsula Cricket Club)
Alex Carey (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club)
Brendan Doggett (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club)
Cameron Green (WA/Subiaco-Floreat Cricket Club)
Josh Hazlewood (NSW/St George Cricket Club)
Travis Head (SA/Tea Tree Gully Cricket Club)
Josh Inglis (WA/Joondalup Cricket Club)
Usman Khawaja (QLD/Valley District Cricket Club)
Marnus Labuschagne (QLD/Redlands Cricket Club)
Nathan Lyon (NSW/Northern District Cricket Club)
Mitchell Starc (NSW/Manly Warringah Cricket Club)
Jake Weatherald (TAS/Kingborough Cricket Club)
Beau Webster (TAS/Kingborough Cricket Club)

Chair of Selector’s George Bailey said: “We are looking forward to the squad connecting and preparing in Perth leading on from a busy domestic and white ball schedule to kick off the Test summer.

“The squad gives us good balance and, with 14 of those chosen playing the next round of Sheffield Shield, we will continue to gather information as we move closer to the start of the first Test
Click to expand...
Can someone at CA please get a hold of Kohli and have him call Konstas. Ask Kohli to let him know that he was only kidding.

Someone there must have Kohli's number. The kid has gone downhill and out.
 

Cummins 'on track' to return for second Ashes Test​

Australia captain Pat Cummins says he is "on track" to play in the second Test of the Ashes series against England.

The pace bowler has not played since the end of a Test series in the West Indies in July and will miss the first Test, which starts in Perth on 21 November, with a lower back injury.

However, the 32-year-old has returned to bowling from a reduced run-up in his recovery and has targeted being back for the second Ashes Test, which is a day-night match starting in Brisbane on 4 December.

"It's all feeling really good. On track and yeah, probably better than I expected," said Cummins.

"Each session is incremental. Once I get over to Perth, I should be pretty close to a full run-up and getting some overs in."

Batter Steve Smith, who was stripped of the captaincy in 2018 following a ball-tampering scandal, will replace Cummins as skipper for the first Test of five against an England side who have not won a series down under since 2010-2011.

Cummins took 18 wickets when his side drew 2-2 in England to retain the Ashes in 2023 and, overall, he has taken 91 wickets against England in 19 Tests at an average of 24.10.

Mitchell Starc, 35, Josh Hazlewood, 34, and Scott Boland, 36, are expected to form Australia's pace attack in Perth.

"It's probably not until you get a bit closer that you can really know where you're at," said Cummins on his recovery. "The good thing is that I'm pulling up well and the body is great.

"We're trying to keep that second Test as a live option. I'll have a really good bowl in Perth, and by then I'll know where I'm at."

Cummins was guarded on how much he might play in the Ashes following a possible return in the second Test, as he said it depended on his workload.

"I don't really want to commit to anything this far out," he added. "I'm pretty keen to play as much as I can.

"But realistically, if we have a big game and bowl 40 or 50 overs and then there's a game that starts a few days later, it might be a bridge too far.

"I'm trying to get right, and if I get right then hopefully I'll try to play as much of it as I can."

Source: BBC
 
Nikhil_cric said:
Starc, Khawaja, Smith(maybe)
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Boland 36, Lyon 37, Hazelwood 34 also nearing the end.

2006-7, McGrath, Warne, Langer, Martin retired at the same time. Aus could win only 2 of the next 15 matches they played. I am sure they’ll manage it better this time around.
 
Obaidd said:
Boland 36, Lyon 37, Hazelwood 34 also nearing the end.

2006-7, McGrath, Warne, Langer, Martin retired at the same time. Aus could win only 2 of the next 15 matches they played. I am sure they’ll manage it better this time around.
Click to expand...
Think Hazlewood will carry on till the end of this WTC cycle.

They can't replace so many players all at once.
 
Trescothick hints Pope will be retained at three

Marcus Trescothick has hinted Ollie Pope will remain as England's first-choice number three for the Ashes, saying the tourists are "very consistent" in their selection.

England meet England Lions in their only Ashes warm-up match in Perth from Thursday and are likely to field something close to the XI that will line up in the first Test on 21 November.

Pope has been under pressure for his number three spot from Jacob Bethell for the past year.

When asked who will fill the role in the tour match, England assistant coach Trescothick told BBC Sport: "I'm presuming the same sort of number three we've had for a period of time."

He added: "I can only say we are a very consistent team in what we're trying to do."

Pope averages 41.60 batting at number three for England, although has a habit of fading as series progress. In the home summer he made a century in his first innings of the series against India, then passed 50 only once in his next eight.

When England announced their Ashes squad, Pope was replaced as vice-captain by Harry Brook, appearing to make the Surrey man more vulnerable to being left out of the team.

At the time, director of cricket Rob Key said Pope was the "man in possession" of the number-three spot.

Bethell, 22, is an outstanding prospect and made his first professional century in a one-day international against South Africa in September.

The left-hander was part of England's white-ball tour of New Zealand last month so had the chance to press his Ashes case, but could only manage a highest score of 24 in five innings.

Bethell is still likely to be part of the tour game. Any players from the Ashes squad not in the England XI for the three-day game will join the Lions XI.

With playing only one practice match before the first Test, England want to ramp up the intensity during the game at Lilac Hill. Captain Ben Stokes, who often skips warm-up matches, is set to play his first cricket since July after recovering from a shoulder injury.

Despite that, former England opener Trescothick said performances in the warm-up would probably not alter plans for the first Test against Australia at Optus Stadium.

"I guess everyone has an opportunity to stake their claim," he said. "As I mentioned, how consistent we've been with our team selection, it's been very level.

"Bar the odd injury we've not really chopped and changed a great deal. It's definitely not going to change dramatically before the start of an Ashes series because someone puts their hand up by taking five wickets or gets 150.

"The team has been what it has been for a period of time for a reason, so that when you come to big series you are more settled and confident going into it."

Stokes is vital to England's chances and is on track to play a full part as an all-rounder in the first Test.

The 34-year-old has not played since missing the final Test against India. He bowled at full pace in the nets on Tuesday and will bat in practice on Wednesday.

"As long as he's happy and feeling good, he'll go into the Test matches playing a full role," said Trescothick of the captain.

Fast bowler Mark Wood could also play for the first time since February following knee surgery.

"He's doing fine," said Trescothick. "He's obviously strapping up his body and keeping the knee well looked after at the moment.

"If he's running in and bowling at the level he needs to and the medical side are happy where he is - I'm pretty sure that's the case - then he'll be in contention the same as everyone else."

Trescothick also defended England's preparations. Ashes tours usually involve multiple warm-up matches, but under captain Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum England have not played more than one tour game on their overseas trips of the past three years.

It is a method that has served them well - they have won the first Test of the series on all five occasions.

However, a number of former players have questioned England's method, including legendary all-rounder Lord Botham in Melbourne on Tuesday.

"It's not the way I would prepare," said Botham.

"I think historically, you have to acclimatise when you come down here. You've got to remember there's 24 million people down here, not 11. And you have to take that on board."

But Trescothick said: "Times have dramatically changed in the way that cricket is done.

"What we are doing for this series isn't anything different from when we went to New Zealand, Pakistan or anywhere else. It isn't any different from when India come to England, or when Australia come to England.

"People are talking about it and I obviously respect their opinions, but the volume of cricket that is now played around the world, the opportunities are not there.

"The intensity of playing five Test matches, if we were to go and play two or three warm-up matches on top of that, having done it myself in the past it is very, very tricky. We're happy with what we're trying to do."

BBC
 
England ponder pace barrage for first Ashes Test in Perth

Ben Stokes is excited by the prospect of having his full pace attack fit and healthy for the first Test against Australia.

England captain Ben Stokes has admitted he is considering including pace duo Jofra Archer and Mark Wood in his side's XI for the opening Test of the eagerly-awaited Ashes series against Australia in Perth.

The European side have arrived in Australia with a full book of health to choose from and with a strong pace attack that includes Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, Archer and Wood that will all be given the chance to shine during the sole warm-up fixture against England Lions that commences on Thursday.

Squeezing them all into the line-up for the first Test at Perth Stadium is impossible, but using Archer and Wood in tandem while they reach speeds in excess of 150 km/h is a prospect that has Stokes pondering the best way to use his wealth of quality quicks ahead of the five-match ICC World Test Championship series.

"It's great to have the X-factor that Joff and Woody possess in terms of pace," Stokes said in Perth on Wednesday.

"Woody's obviously got over his knee surgery that he had quite a while ago. He's overcome that and he's looking really, really good.

"Joff has been out in the park for two and a half years now so it's great seeing those two flying in and getting some fast balls down there.

"Whether or not they get through (picked for) the first Test series probably remains to be seen."

Pressed on whether he would use Archer and Wood in the same side in Perth, Stokes remain tight-lipped.

"It would be exciting, wouldn't it?," Stokes said with a smile.

"It's nine days until that first Test starts, so there's a lot of time for stuff to form into place or for something to happen.

"But, at the moment, from a fast bowling point of view, the guys that we've picked are all in really, really good shape."

And while the potential to use an all-out pace attack excites Stokes somewhat, the England skipper admitted his bowlers will still need to bowl in the right areas if they are to trouble Australia's strong batting line-up.

"I think both sides have got very strong bowling attacks and it's not all just about pace," Stokes added.

"It's very nice knowing that you've got a bowling attack and they're all bowling 85 miles an hour and a couple of guys who can get into the low to mid-90s as well.

"But it's not just all about pace, it's about skill.

"We're fortunate enough that we've got a battery of fast bowlers who not only bowl at good pace, but are also extremely skillful in any condition.

"You can have pace, but if you've sprayed it everywhere, that's not too much use.

"We're thankful and we feel that we've picked a really, really good, strong bowling group that have complementary skills, that can support each other.

"It's going to be a tough five games, so it's nice having a good battery of fast bowlers to choose from."

ICC
 
Hazlewood, Abbott sent for scans with hamstring concerns

Pat Cummins confirmed two Test squad members had undergone medical scans during NSW's Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria

Australia have a double injury worry ahead of the first Ashes Test, with Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott both leaving the Sydney Cricket Ground with hamstring concerns.

Hazlewood and Abbott were both spotted leaving the ground on day three of the Sheffield Shield game against Victoria and going to a nearby clinic to be assessed.

Test captain Pat Cummins confirmed both were nursing hamstring issues though neither Cricket NSW nor Cricket Australia had any further details.

Any injury to Hazlewood would be of significant concern with the first Test against England in Perth just nine days away.

Cummins had suggested Hazlewood was "pretty chipper" after his scan but that more would be known in the next 24 hours.

Australia are already without Cummins for at least the series opener, with the quick expected to be replaced in the XI by Scott Boland.

If Hazlewood was also ruled out, Brendan Doggett would likely be called in to debut.

The hosts have not entered a Test match without at least two of Cummins, Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc in the side since December 2022.

Hazlewood has battled a number of injuries through that time, including missing three Tests last summer with a calf strain.

If he was to be ruled out, Brendan Doggett would likely debut.

Doggett has taken two five-wicket hauls since returning from a hamstring injury for South Australia, and is one of the form bowlers in the country.

The South Australian was initially part of Australia's squad for West Indies and would have been a chance to debut there, before suffering a hip injury.

Abbott is the other back-up paceman in the Test squad, but he also now appears to have some injury concern.

He took three wickets in six balls for NSW on Wednesday before leaving the SCG to be assessed.

The injury scares could also place more importance on Cameron Green's fitness for the first Test, and whether Beau Webster remains in the side as a second allrounder.

Green sent down eight overs in the first innings in Perth on Tuesday at good pace, in what was his biggest bowling output in a match since before his back surgery last summer.

Webster took eight wickets for the match in Tasmania's Sheffield Shield loss to South Australia this week, but is fighting to keep his spot in the Test side.

Selectors will likely weigh up whether to play Webster in Perth as an extra bowling option, or go with Jake Weatherald as a specialist opener with Marnus Labuschagne at No.3.

www.cricket.com.au

Hazlewood, Abbott sent for scans with hamstring concerns | cricket.com.au

Pat Cummins confirmed two Test squad members had undergone medical scans during NSW's Sheffield...
www.cricket.com.au www.cricket.com.au
 
Hazlewood cleared for Perth, Abbott suffers hamstring strain

Mixed news for two of Australia's Test squad members in Sheffield Shield match in Sydney

Josh Hazlewood has been cleared of major injury and is expected to play the first Ashes Test, but Australia have ruled out fellow quick Sean Abbott after both bowlers suffered hamstring complaints on Wednesday.

Test squad members Hazlewood and Abbott were both sent for medical scans after pulling up sore on day three of NSW's Sheffield Shield game against Victoria.

Australia were soon relieved to learn Hazlewood, a key member of the attack for the series opener against England in Perth in the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins, was cleared of a right hamstring strain.

"He will train as planned in the lead up to the first Test in Perth," a Cricket Australia spokesperson said of Hazlewood.

But the news was not as good for Abbott, who suffered a "moderate grade" strain to his left hamstring.

"He will not be available for selection for the first Test match in Perth and his return to play plan will be developed over the coming weeks," CA's spokesperson said of Abbott.

Abbott was unlikely to make his Test debut in Perth but it continues a tough run with injury for the right-armer having last month split the webbing on his bowling hand.

Scott Boland is expected to replace Cummins in the XI and play alongside Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.

Cummins was also in attendance at the SCG on Wednesday before speaking at Cricket Australia's NRMA sponsorship extension, and said Hazlewood was in good spirits.

"Joshy was pretty confident when he walked out, so hopefully shouldn't be too much of an issue," Cummins said.

"(Josh) knows his body really well. I think he was a little bit worried, wanted to get it checked out. I only saw him briefly, but he was a bit happier afterwards."

Abbott's latest setback only increases the chances of Brendan Doggett making his Test debut this summer.

Doggett, who has been around the Test squad over the last 12 months without playing, has taken two five-wicket hauls since returning from a hamstring injury for South Australia.

"He's really well placed to be vying for a spot in that first Test. It's always nice to have a squad full of people in form, and he's certainly one of those guys," said Cummins.

Meanwhile, Cummins said he was feeling well after bowling at 90 per cent on Tuesday in the SCG nets and is a chance of playing in the second Test at the Gabba on December 4.

A return in the third Test in Adelaide starting on December 17 could be more likely, with Cummins having also previously conceded back-to-back Tests could be difficult.

"(The Gabba) is what we're building towards," Cummins said.

"Hopefully by Perth I'm up there near 100 per cent, and then see where we're at.

"It's still pretty aggressive, going from nothing to trying to get ready for a Test match in four weeks. But we're going to give it a good shot."

www.cricket.com.au

Hazlewood cleared for Perth, Abbott suffers hamstring strain | cricket.com.au

Mixed news for two of Australia's Test squad members in Sheffield Shield match in Sydney
www.cricket.com.au www.cricket.com.au
 
Can Brook be the difference maker for England this time?
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The old timers in England are getting vexed because England only arranged one warm-up match.

It's a fair criticism but the problem is the calendar is so jam packed - the good old days of touring every state etc is long gone.
 
Markhor said:
The old timers in England are getting vexed because England only arranged one warm-up match.

It's a fair criticism but the problem is the calendar is so jam packed - the good old days of touring every state etc is long gone.
Click to expand...
Yes, it is not feasible to have too many tour games along with a 5 match test series.
 
The results haven't been great for England in the Ashes in Australia but I think this England team will win the series this time which will be the first after 2010-11.

1762977374951.png
 
Markhor said:
The old timers in England are getting vexed because England only arranged one warm-up match.

It's a fair criticism but the problem is the calendar is so jam packed - the good old days of touring every state etc is long gone.
Click to expand...
This is nothing new in this day and age. India often play 5-match test series with just a few intra-squad practice games. The English cricketing establishment just needs something to cry about.
 
Root & Brook need to step up this time, perfect opportunity to beat Australia who are mostly oldies & are plagued by injuries.
 
Australia dealt massive injury blow ahead of Ashes opener

The injury problems continue to pile on for Australia ahead of the first Test against England, starting 21 November.

Australia's ace fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the first Test against England due to a hamstring strain injury.

Hazlewood sustained the injury during the Sheffield Shield games and went off the pitch. Although he was initially cleared of muscle strain after initial scans, follow-up imaging has confirmed the hamstring injury.

The latest blow further depletes Australia's pace bowling stocks, who have already lost captain Pat Cummins as well as Sean Abbott to injuries.

Michael Neser has been brought into the squad for Australia to provide cover for Hazlewood and Abbott.

Neser has played two Test matches for Australia, debuting against England at Adelaide Oval in 2021. However, it is 31-year-old uncapped Brendan Doggett who is 'firming for a Test debut after Australia's injury woes deepened on Saturday,' as reported by cricket.com.au.

Doggett has been in impressive form for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield games in the lead-up to the Ashes, bagging a six-for against Western Australia followed by a five-for against Tasmania.

Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland are likely to lead the pace attack, with Nathan Lyon the spinner. In some positive news for Australia, Cameron Green has returned to bowling in the Sheffield Shield games and is expected to take the ball in the series.

The latest chapter in the storied Ashes rivalry will commence on 21 November in Perth.

www.icc-cricket.com

Australia dealt massive injury blow ahead of Ashes opener | ICC World Test Championship | ICC

The injury problems continue to pile on for Australia ahead of the first Test against England, starting 21 November.
www.icc-cricket.com www.icc-cricket.com
 
Australia squad: (First Test only): Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
 
Since series is in Australia, I expect Aussies to crush England.

England rarely do well in Australia when it comes to Ashes.
 
1. Usman Khawaja
2. Marnus Labuschagne
3. Cameron Green
4. Steve Smith (c)
5. Travis Head
6. Beau Webster
7. Alex Carey (wk)
8. Mitchell Starc
9. Nathan Lyon
10. Brendan Doggett
11. Scott Boland

I think Australia have to go with Brendan Doggett as Hazlewood's replacement in Perth. He is a tall, hit-the-deck type of a bowler, who can generate decent pace and bounce...especially on that bouncy Perth wicket. Michael Neser is the other option, and he can bat a bit too which would give them some flexibility. But he is too similar of a bowler to Scott Boland, and not nearly as good. Besides, Doggett has been a slightly better performer than Neser in Sheffield Shield (current and previous seasons) so he is more deserving of the opportunity anyway.

Cam Green at 3 is a recipe for disaster IMO, if he is playing as a pure all-rounder. I'm not sure if his body can handle that in a 5-match test series. They will have to keep his bowling load in check if they want him to make it through the series. Problem is, Beau Webster has been so good at 6 that you just can't drop him. Which means Labuschagne, who has been doing really well in Sheffield Shield recently will have to open the batting with Khawaja.
 
RedwoodOriginal said:
1. Usman Khawaja
2. Marnus Labuschagne
3. Cameron Green
4. Steve Smith (c)
5. Travis Head
6. Beau Webster
7. Alex Carey (wk)
8. Mitchell Starc
9. Nathan Lyon
10. Brendan Doggett
11. Scott Boland

I think Australia have to go with Brendan Doggett as Hazlewood's replacement in Perth. He is a tall, hit-the-deck type of a bowler, who can generate decent pace and bounce...especially on that bouncy Perth wicket. Michael Neser is the other option, and he can bat a bit too which would give them some flexibility. But he is too similar of a bowler to Scott Boland, and not nearly as good. Besides, Doggett has been a slightly better performer than Neser in Sheffield Shield (current and previous seasons) so he is more deserving of the opportunity anyway.

Cam Green at 3 is a recipe for disaster IMO, if he is playing as a pure all-rounder. I'm not sure if his body can handle that in a 5-match test series. They will have to keep his bowling load in check if they want him to make it through the series. Problem is, Beau Webster has been so good at 6 that you just can't drop him. Which means Labuschagne, who has been doing really well in Sheffield Shield recently will have to open the batting with Khawaja.
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England will be licking their lips looking at that bowling line up.

If the English click, they can decimate the Aussies in the first test.
 
DeadlyVenom said:
England will be licking their lips looking at that bowling line up.

If the English click, they can decimate the Aussies in the first test.
Click to expand...
It's the weakest bowling attack they may face all series, but it's still a very good bowling attack. Starc is still there. Boland is good enough to make the XI any day of the week, and decimated England with 6/7 at MCG last time around. Doggett will be on debut and could be a weak link, but even he is well-suited to a surface like Perth. So England will still have their work cut out for them.
 
England are always going to be the underdogs in Aus but Shoaib Bashir looks like an especially weak link. I don’t think he’s going to have any fear factor in the Aus batting lineup.

Pope is another weak link but he just scored a century in tour match so that should mean something. This series is his last chance to keep his place.

Eng’s think tank has to pull a special trick to get any decent results out of this series. Three Aus bowlers being injured is just the sort of luck Eng need going their way.

Stokes can deliver some sporadic brilliant performances but I think much of the weight of Eng expectations would be on Harry Brook.
 
RedwoodOriginal said:
1. Usman Khawaja
2. Marnus Labuschagne
3. Cameron Green
4. Steve Smith (c)
5. Travis Head
6. Beau Webster
7. Alex Carey (wk)
8. Mitchell Starc
9. Nathan Lyon
10. Brendan Doggett
11. Scott Boland

I think Australia have to go with Brendan Doggett as Hazlewood's replacement in Perth. He is a tall, hit-the-deck type of a bowler, who can generate decent pace and bounce...especially on that bouncy Perth wicket. Michael Neser is the other option, and he can bat a bit too which would give them some flexibility. But he is too similar of a bowler to Scott Boland, and not nearly as good. Besides, Doggett has been a slightly better performer than Neser in Sheffield Shield (current and previous seasons) so he is more deserving of the opportunity anyway.

Cam Green at 3 is a recipe for disaster IMO, if he is playing as a pure all-rounder. I'm not sure if his body can handle that in a 5-match test series. They will have to keep his bowling load in check if they want him to make it through the series. Problem is, Beau Webster has been so good at 6 that you just can't drop him. Which means Labuschagne, who has been doing really well in Sheffield Shield recently will have to open the batting with Khawaja.
Click to expand...
Absolutely. I cannot wrap my head around this. Do not see him as a number 3 any which way I see it.

Labuschangne needs to be at three and CA needs to find two openers pronto. As well as a replacement lined up for Smith. Not to mention replacements for Starc and Hazlewood.
 
The two greedy boards BCCI & CA have ruined two top series

There was absolutely no need to have a whiteball series this time of the year in Australia

Thanks to the useless series, two promising series of Ashes and SA's tour of India are now having few main players unfit

Gill's injury of neck is common among athletes who travel a lot and don't have proper sleeping posture over time.
 
tiger_khan said:
The two greedy boards BCCI & CA have ruined two top series

There was absolutely no need to have a whiteball series this time of the year in Australia

Thanks to the useless series, two promising series of Ashes and SA's tour of India are now having few main players unfit

Gill's injury of neck is common among athletes who travel a lot and don't have proper sleeping posture over time.
Click to expand...
Simple answer is India $$$.

India plays series almost every year. They were there last summer and again this year. At this rate, BCCI might as well keep a team permanently in Aus. to cut down on travel.
 
We've Got a Great chance of repeating Our Triumph of 2010 - 2011.

With Cummins and Hazlewood out of the first Test, it's imperative England strike and take the First Test.

Cant wait for it to kick off.
 
RedwoodOriginal said:
It's the weakest bowling attack they may face all series, but it's still a very good bowling attack. Starc is still there. Boland is good enough to make the XI any day of the week, and decimated England with 6/7 at MCG last time around. Doggett will be on debut and could be a weak link, but even he is well-suited to a surface like Perth. So England will still have their work cut out for them.
Click to expand...
Starc is manageable in non pink ball tests and Boland is very good but condition dependent. Without Hazelwood and Cummins this attack has went from an 8/10 attack to a 5/10.
 
DeadlyVenom said:
Starc is manageable in non pink ball tests and Boland is very good but condition dependent. Without Hazelwood and Cummins this attack has went from an 8/10 attack to a 5/10.
Click to expand...
I think its better than that. Starc in Australian conditions is a fantastic bowler. Same for Boland. And I wouldn't sleep on Doggett either. He is fast and an experienced campaigner, who has been doing consistently well in Shield cricket. Generally I'd put the Australian attack at 9/10. I think it's the best pace-attack in the world. Without those two, it's still at 6.5-7
 
A grassy wicket is expected for the first test match of the series.

1763404157360.jpeg
 
1. Zak Crawley
2. Ben Duckett
3. Ollie Pope
4. Joe Root
5. Harry Brook
6. Ben Stokes (c)
7. Jamie Smith (wk)
8. Gus Atkinson
9. Brydon Carse
10. Jofra Archer
11. Shoaib Bashir

I'm sure England will be tempted to go with Jacob Bethell, and if it's a really green pitch then I don't see the harm in that, or even playing Mark Wood instead. But England will have to play Bashir in this series because you need atleast one proper spinner in the line-up, even in Australia. And Bethell is not a proper spinner who is used to bowling long-spells.
 
RedwoodOriginal said:
1. Zak Crawley
2. Ben Duckett
3. Ollie Pope
4. Joe Root
5. Harry Brook
6. Ben Stokes (c)
7. Jamie Smith (wk)
8. Gus Atkinson
9. Brydon Carse
10. Jofra Archer
11. Shoaib Bashir

I'm sure England will be tempted to go with Jacob Bethell, and if it's a really green pitch then I don't see the harm in that, or even playing Mark Wood instead. But England will have to play Bashir in this series because you need atleast one proper spinner in the line-up, even in Australia. And Bethell is not a proper spinner who is used to bowling long-spells.
Click to expand...
I won't be surprised if they drop Bashir for Bethell.
 
hassan918 said:
I won't be surprised if they drop Bashir for Bethell.
Click to expand...
If the pitch allows it then good. But they should know Bashir will have to play a key role if they want to do well in this series. If Australia take him down, it will become very tough for England's fast-bowlers. And Bethell doesn't have the ability to play the sole spinner role on a more balanced pitch.
 
RedwoodOriginal said:
If the pitch allows it then good. But they should know Bashir will have to play a key role if they want to do well in this series. If Australia take him down, it will become very tough for England's fast-bowlers. And Bethell doesn't have the ability to play the sole spinner role on a more balanced pitch.
Click to expand...
On such a pitch Australia, you won't need a spinner as most of the bowling will be done by the fast bowlers.
 
RedwoodOriginal said:
1. Zak Crawley
2. Ben Duckett
3. Ollie Pope
4. Joe Root
5. Harry Brook
6. Ben Stokes (c)
7. Jamie Smith (wk)
8. Gus Atkinson
9. Brydon Carse
10. Jofra Archer
11. Shoaib Bashir

I'm sure England will be tempted to go with Jacob Bethell, and if it's a really green pitch then I don't see the harm in that, or even playing Mark Wood instead. But England will have to play Bashir in this series because you need atleast one proper spinner in the line-up, even in Australia. And Bethell is not a proper spinner who is used to bowling long-spells.
Click to expand...
Mark Wood will play in place of Bashir. England will go all out pace on this green wicket.
 
RedwoodOriginal said:
1. Zak Crawley
2. Ben Duckett
3. Ollie Pope
4. Joe Root
5. Harry Brook
6. Ben Stokes (c)
7. Jamie Smith (wk)
8. Gus Atkinson
9. Brydon Carse
10. Jofra Archer
11. Shoaib Bashir

I'm sure England will be tempted to go with Jacob Bethell, and if it's a really green pitch then I don't see the harm in that, or even playing Mark Wood instead. But England will have to play Bashir in this series because you need atleast one proper spinner in the line-up, even in Australia. And Bethell is not a proper spinner who is used to bowling long-spells.
Click to expand...
Wood is going to break down same with Archer even stokes it at some risk, have to rotate the bowlers throughout the series, it's england's best chance in a while I reckon, but the media is overhyping way to much. skipper smudge, slug, Cam Green and marnus good form in shield, this lineup is still heavy favourites, and eng's batting is till pretty fragile. Mitch and Gazz also have a pretty good record at Perth
​

will be difficult without hoff tho was looking fantastic against india in the bilaterals
 
Anderson's advice for England quicks ahead of Ashes opener

Pure pace won't win the day in Australia, according to former England pacer James Anderson.

England great James Anderson has urged his fellow bowlers to ensure they don't purely rely on their pace when formulating plans to dismiss Australia cheaply during the upcoming Ashes series.

The five-match Ashes series commences in Perth on Friday and England are expected to unveil an all-out pace attack that includes Jofra Archer, Mark Wood and Josh Tongue as they try and re-claim the urn the Aussies have held since 2018.

It will be the first series Down Under that Anderson has missed since 2002/03 and the former England quick has passed on some advice for his fellow seamers ahead of the series opener at Perth Stadium.

"The pitches will have a little bit of movement in them, they have done in the last two tours we've been there. So you do need accuracy, as well as pace," Anderson said on the BBC's Tailenders podcast.

"I think one of the question marks for England will potentially be Ben Stokes - out of that group of bowlers, he is the one bowler that could churn out those spells of accuracy and skill.

"But he's also got that injury record hanging over him, so that could be a big part of the series as well."

Anderson expects England to use all their best quicks during the first Test to try and take advantage of the absence of experienced Australian duo Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood and claim an early advantage in the five-match series.

The former England seamer is predicting England will then rotate their pacers throughout the remainder of the series, with back-up quicks Matthew Potts and Brydon Carse likely to be given a chance as well as first-choice spinner Shoaib Bashir and young all-rounder Jacob Bethell.

"I think if you're going to play them (Archer and Wood) together, potentially the first Test at Perth, where it's fast and bouncy, you want to get off to a good start in the series so hit them straight away with proper pace," Anderson added.

"After that I imagine they'll try and play one of them, and rest and recover the other. That leaves space for Brydon Carse or Gus Atkinson. They're still quick enough, but they've got skill as well, and probably a bit more control than the others.

"They're going to have a big part. If England are going to win this series, or have a chance, then the bowling attack has got to be relentlessly good."

And despite the bevy of quality quicks at England's disposal, Anderson believes Australia still enters the series as slight favourites.

"There are question marks there, and definitely there are cracks that England could potentially expose. There's a great chance for England to get on top early," Anderson told TNT Sports.

"But I don't think England are quite favourites. I'd say Australia are still favourites, in Australia.

"There's still a lot of quality in their batting line-up, there's still a lot of quality with their bowlers as well, even if Cummins is missing.

"It's a tough one to call, so I'd say Australia, just."

ICC
 
aarizzler720 said:
Wood is going to break down same with Archer even stokes it at some risk, have to rotate the bowlers throughout the series, it's england's best chance in a while I reckon, but the media is overhyping way to much. skipper smudge, slug, Cam Green and marnus good form in shield, this lineup is still heavy favourites, and eng's batting is till pretty fragile. Mitch and Gazz also have a pretty good record at Perth
​

will be difficult without hoff tho was looking fantastic against india in the bilaterals
Click to expand...
That's a given with Wood. His body will break down, so I don't mind them going with him in Perth. Because that might be one of those surfaces where he could be effective.

It's England's best chance but Australia are still heavy favorites. If the pitch is anything like we are hearing than Scott Boland will really enjoy bowling on this surface and could be the most effective bowler in the match.
 
To date, England have only won one test match in Perth. And even that happened way back in 1978.

Ofcourse that's mostly the WACA but the Perth Stadium pitch is also similar in nature to the WACA pitch.
 
U$ofA said:
Simple answer is India $$$.

India plays series almost every year. They were there last summer and again this year. At this rate, BCCI might as well keep a team permanently in Aus. to cut down on travel.
Click to expand...
HaHaHa ... :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:
 
Ricky Ponting selects his Australia XI for first Ashes Test

The hosts’ build-up to the first Ashes Test has been anything but straightforward, but Ricky Ponting has voiced his Australia XI for the series opener in Perth.

ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting has revealed his preferred Australian line-up for the first Ashes Test against England on The ICC Review, backing Jake Weatherald for a Test debut and opting for Brendan Doggett to join the pace attack.

Australia have had mounting injury concerns in the build-up to the marquee series with pacers Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins both out of the first Test, along with back-up quick Sean Abbott.

Factoring that in as well as team balance and combinations, Ponting’s pick for the Australia XI featured a debutant to go with a rejigged pace bowling line-up.

“I feel that Australia's best team has Jake Weatherald opening the batting along with (Usman) Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne at three,” Ponting told host Sanjana Ganesan on The ICC Review.

“He’s (Labuschagne) done absolutely everything that's been asked of him over the last month, scoring hundreds at will, coming back into the side at No.3.

“Steve Smith (at) four, Travis Head (at) five, Cameron Green (at) six, Carey (at) seven.

“With (Scott) Boland, (Mitchell) Starc, probably Doggett gets the nod ahead of Michael Neser and Nathan Lyon, who was always going to play anyway, I think that will be Australia's team.”

With his preferred XI laid out, Ponting unpacked how Australia arrived at such a selection dilemma ahead of the Ashes.

The loss of Hazlewood to a hamstring strain is a significant one – he is approaching 300 wickets after 76 Tests – and his absence is compounded by the unavailability of captain Cummins, leaving Boland, Starc and Doggett as the front-line fast bowling options, with the selectors adding Michael Neser as cover for the first Test.

“If you had asked me this (to pick the XI) a week ago, my thoughts might have been slightly different,” Ponting said.

“Obviously, we've had Josh Hazlewood go down with that hamstring strain, it seems like, in the last (Sheffield) Shield game that he played. Brendan Doggett is already in the squad, he's been called in. Michael Neser has also been called into the squad now.

“So a week ago, I felt that they were going to play Jake Weatherald as the opener and Labuschagne at No.3 and that Doggett would probably just come in, Boland comes in the absence of Pat Cummins. But now things could be different.

“The fact that Hazelwood is not there, they'll have Starc, Boland, probably Doggett. Do they now think that they might need some more bowling cover as far as the all-rounders are concerned?

“Do they now think they might need Beau Webster to be in that side as well. So there are a lot of questions that I am not really sure what the outcome or the answer is.”

He pointed out that with a fully fit attack, Green’s workload would have been more than manageable after an encouraging Shield outing, where he blazed a brilliant 94 for Western Australia, in addition to picking up a wicket in his fiery spell with the ball in the first innings.

“If they had their full strength bowling group, Cameron Green, having got through the Shield game last week, I think they would have been more than comfortable going into a Perth Test with him as the all-rounder that could bowl eight, 10, 12 overs in an innings,” Ponting noted.

But the absence of Hazlewood has ensured Beau Webster is in the conversation, particularly after a standout bowling display in his most recent outing for Tasmania, picking up eight wickets, including 5/50 in the first innings.

“Beau Webster in this last Shield game as well, missed out with the bat in both innings but picked up eight wickets with the ball. So he's also thrown a bit of a spanner into the works there as far as selection is concerned," Ponting added.

Australia take on England in the first of five Ashes Tests as part of the ICC World Test Championship at Perth Stadium in Western Australia, beginning Friday, 21 November.

ICC
 
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