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Considering that the next Ashes series is almost upon us, I have decided to attempt a likely Ashes squad for the first Test at the Gabba.
1. Chris Rogers
With the old timer’s selection being much talked about during the last Ashes series, Rogers proved why he should be in the Aussie line-up, scoring a blistering 84 off 114 on the first morning of the third Test in Manchester before knocking up a brilliant maiden century in the fourth.
With his experience of Australian pitches after so many years of Sheffield Shield cricket, Rogers is ready to hammer England again.
2. Phil Hughes
With a great start to the Ashes series during the winter, a vital 81* in the first innings of the first Test helping Australia nearly topple the English, Phil Hughes was dropped after failing twice in the next game.
His dropping may have been a little bit premature, and I believe that batsman bat their best in their natural positions.
Phil Hughes, he has always been an opener and I believe he can become a stable partner for Rogers, as long as they run well and don’t play wasteful shots early on in their innings.
Hughes just edges out youngster Nic Maddinson and seasoned veteran Michael Klinger due to his Test match experience.
3. Steve Smith
After two series in a row where the young beachy blonde New South Welshman has proved himself after looking all but gone in international cricket, Steve Smith is back and ready to go.
After a near century in India and some great knocks in England, Australia is desperate for a first drop and it is there for Smith’s taking.
Early in his career he was a flamboyant batsman who played some wacky shots, but now Smith has toned his game down to a perfect level.
If Australia is going to move forward, they need good young players in key positions, and Smith at first drop may be the first of many such players. After the series he may be a good consideration for vice-captain and possibly an eventual captain.
4. Michael Clarke
If Clarke’s back is healed by the time the first Test swings around, he is a shoe-in at number four.
The record breaking skipper of the Australian team didn’t necessarily have to carry the batting by himself for the whole Ashes series in the winter, but a couple of times the Aussies found themselves relying on their injury-plagued captain.
Clarke needs to do what he has done over the past two Australian summers, which is deliver on the big stage and help get the Aussies over the line.
5. Shane Watson
Even though he may be out of his usual top order position, if Shane Watson is going to bowl in the Ashes series (which he almost has to) then he will have to bat down the order to prevent injury.
He also has to continue on from his brilliant innings in the last Test at the Oval, which was made after the series had already been lost.
If he can bat like that when the Ashes are still up for grabs then maybe he can help pull the Aussies over the line. The only reason he isn’t batting at six is because of Usman Khawaja’s absence.
The big all-rounder simply has to make an impact if Australia are going to win.
6. George Bailey
After being a solid leader in the one-day team for a fair period of time, I believe that it is now Bailey’s time to shine.
He has a cool head on his shoulders after captaining the Australia one-day and Twenty20 team, and his game will suit the longer form.
He may be a key part of Australia’s resurgence in Test cricket, but hopefully he doesn’t go the way of Dave Hussey.
This man may play a surprisingly huge part in the Ashes.
7. Brad Haddin
The only reason this stalwart is still in the line-up is because of the back-to-back Ashes series. If the Ashes were at their usual times, with another year’s interval in between, then Tim Paine would be in the line-up for the first Ashes Test.
Fate has it that he won’t be, but after this series expect him to start taking over the wicket-keeping duties for Australia.
Even though Haddin nearly won the Aussies the first Test at Nottingham, the first chance the Aussie selectors get they will head for Paine as the new generation starts to come through.
8. Ben Cutting
The only reason that Faulkner, Johnson or Hazlewood aren’t in the number eight spot is because the first Test is at Cutting’s home; the Gabba.
If it was in Perth, then Johnson would be taking this spot, and at any other ground it would be Faulkner or Hazlewood, preferably Hazlewood.
But if Cutting can slide some balls through the Englishmen’s defences he may be a shoe-in for many years to come. Expect big things either from Cutting or Hazlewood, as both have bright futures.
9. Peter Siddle
Siddle is instrumental to Australia’s chances, as he is the work horse leading the attack along with Harris.
Don’t expect a birthday hat-trick like last series, but expect this inspirational, tough-as-teak leader to help skittle England right when we need it the most.
Siddle and Harris may be the perfect pair to help the youngster Cutting.
10. Ryan Harris
After many an injury Harris finally played a full series out, helping the Aussies to at least have a chance in the recent Ashes series.
If he can perform like he did in patches in 2010/11 and in the last series, then Australia may just be a chance.
Just like Siddle, Harris is a tough and reliable bowler who is consistent even in the face of loss. If he doesn’t get injured then he will be a key factor.
11. Nathan Lyon
In the last Ashes series, many people thought that Lyon was as good as gone after 19-year-old Ashton Agar entered the cricket sanctum.
But Agar was soon given the boot as his bowling proved rather less effective than his debut innings.
Lyon can be just the same, with the scrawny spinner under scrutiny last year when he pushed through 90 km/h darts at South Africans.
If Lyon wants to retain his spot, he needs to flight the ball and bait in the batsman, with Australia desperately needing an answer to England’s Graeme Swann.
12th man: Usman Khawaja
The stylish lefty narrowly misses out on playing because of Bailey’s record in one-day Internationals.
But young Usman still has big things ahead of him if he can sure down his technique and keep a good attitude. If he wants to enter the fold of Test cricket, Khawaja will have to accumulate many runs in the Sheffield Shield.
Special Mentions:
Jackson Bird: If the series is close at the end and Harris is injured, then Bird may be the word as the reliable young man who resembles McGrath may be asked to step up.
Will need to do better than in England though, but if he bowls like he did against Sri Lanka then he may swing the Ashes in the Aussies’ favour.
Ashton Agar: If Lyon gets smacked around in the first couple of Tests, then Agar could be called up to bowl and bat again by around the Third Test. He is a big x-factor when batting, but bowling he will need to lift if he wants to retain a spot in the team.
David Warner: This controversial batsman could re-enter the Aussie team in a desperate need for power hitting.
He has been drastically out of form of late, with the troublesome Warner having to be ready to carry the drinks for almost all of the summer.
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