The wait is almost over, and it’s time for the Ashes, this time down under. Australia will be hoping to retain the Ashes back on home soil, and England will want to reclaim it away from home. Here at BoomBet, we look at the ins and outs of the squad and who are the key players for both squads, and who can provide the key moments of the series.
Australia:
The Aussies will go into the first test as favourites only having played their most recent test match last summer. It will be a different looking Australian team for the upcoming series, with Pat Cummins having the honour of leading the green and gold with Steve Smith as his accomplice. Australia will go in with the recent scandal involving Tim Paine behind them, but it seems as it is a breath of fresh air, as Alex Carey takes the gloves for the first test.
Ins and Outs:
Marcus Harris comes into the side to replace the injury stricken Will Pukovski, with the former Harris preforming well in the most recent Sheffield Shield match scoring a century. After James Pattinson announced his retirement from test cricket, the Aussies will be looking for a backup for the three quicks, with Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser fighting for that spot, with one of them may be looking to take the spot of Mitchell Starc. Another one fighting for the last position in the starting XI will be for the number 5 spot involving Travis Head and Usman Khawaja. Both of them have been in excellent form in the Sheffield Shield and ultimately, this one will come down to the selectors on match day.
Squad:
Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith (vc), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner. Alex Carey
England:
England go in as underdogs in the series, with a few question marks attached to them. It will be a big test for captain Joe Root, who will be wanting to perform down under against a world class attack, and wanting to put the disappointing series a few years back at home behind them. England’s best chance of winning a test will be in Adelaide, where the pink ball test will take place. Jimmy Anderson will want to utilise the swing of the pink ball in his advantage to dismantle the Aussie top order, but will also need support from the ageing fast bowlers Stuart Broad, Mark Wood or Chris Woakes, or the fiery Ollie Robinson – whoever the English selectors go for. England will also be missing Joffra Archer due to injury, which is a big loss for the squad.
The inclusion of Ben Stokes, to the surprise of many, will provide England with depth in their batting and bowling arsenal. The allrounder will be hoping to shine once again in Australian conditions where he has taken a liking in the past and holds as a key player for the England squad.
Squad:
Joe Root (c), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
Australia go BOOM if: The ball doesn’t swing, and the batters plunder the medium pacers of England, Root struggles against the pace.
England go BOOM if: Root bats all day (and someone joins him) and Anderson is swinging it around corners, bringing flashbacks of the last Ashes in England.
History favours the Aussies at home and our Prediction is Australia to coast to a 4-1 victory.
Blog 