The next Ashes may be hard to imagine in this current climate, but as sports fans it is a remarkable occasion we look forward to.
Nothing beats Ashes cricket in Australia; the daunting and intimidating venues like the Gabbatoir, chirpy crowds and fast wickets lie in wake for the visiting England team who will strive to try and reclaim the Urn, something they have not done since 2015.
Here, I start with the hosts’ potential line up. As you may know I have tried selecting some rugby XVs for the British and Irish Lions, so if you’re a fan of union give them a read.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments – as an English native I may not as know as much about Sheffield Shield stars as some others.
1. David Warner
Struggled against Broad in England last time out, but in Australian conditions he is a batting master. Impressive return last home summer with a stand out of a 335* against Pakistan in Adelaide. This is likely to be his last or penultimate Ashes series.
While his record away from home will largely be questioned, in Australia and against the Old Enemy, with even more personal pride at stake for Warner, this is a series he will want to grab by the scruff of the neck.
2. Joe Burns
In all fairness I am unsure whether Australia, fans or myself want a Leftie-Right or Leftie-Leftie combo at the top of the order. Cam Bancroft struggled last time out in England and had a quiet Ashes series in 2017-18. Few fans remember that before the tampering fiasco, he was looking strong in SA, with a couple of fifties. However, I think Burns will get the nod.
I feel he is a player who gets a lot of stick from fans and media, but the fact that Australia have never really given him plenty of game time when he has been in form has damaged confidence.
Had some solid displays last summer and should definitely be given some chances against England. Marcus Harris may also be one to watch if he continues his normally good Sheffield State form.
3. Marnus Labuschagne
Loose-bus-change. Probably been the stand out player in the last 18 months.
Fantastic temperament and appetite for big runs, resulting in four big tons last summer and an impressive run out in the Ashes series, scoring four fifties in seven innings.
What has impressed me so much about Marnus is his technique. It is classic, old-school and simple. However it is perfected so well with his knowledge of leaving outside off that makes it even more impressive.
Write off another big series against England at your own will, Marnus has all the makings of a big star in Australian cricket.
4. Steve Smith
Who else but him? The term big match player may be overused, but Smith is clearly the big match player in world cricket and no one else is near him apart from Ben Stokes in match winning knocks under pressure.
Edgbaston twin centuries, Old Trafford 211 and the opening Test 141* in Brisbane in 2017 all showcase Smith’s freakish record against England. A proper great of the game who will look to further terrorise England’s bowling think tank. And oh boy it would be no surprise if he adds up to his 11 centuries in Ashes cricket.
(Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
5. Travis Head
No.5 is the second batting space the Aussies have issues with. I thought Travis Head showed he could grind it out n England with some impressive cameos and handy knocks combining with Smith.
The knock against the Kiwis at Melbourne should restore some faith that southpaw is certainly good enough to warrant some more caps for the baggy greens.
6. Tim Paine c/wk
Now this is the start of the surprises. Paine should retain captaincy, even if there were Cricket Australia plans to restore leadership with Smith. Paine has turned around Australian cricket alongside Langer for the greater good, and stripping him of captaincy would only be disrespectful to such an influential figure.
Paine has a decent average of 31 for a WK and regularly comes up with a captain’s 50.
Ironically Paine has been criticised for his batting as well, whereas a lot of fans do not seem to realise that Paine’s batting has been sound to say the least. Another Ashes win under his captaincy would complete a remarkable rise for a figure no one ever thought would become Aussie skipper.
7. James Pattinson
Yes, this is a four-man 90mph able bowling attack. Pattinson has had his career harnessed by injury, but he is fresh enough to face the English at home.
He probably won’t be given the new ball but his raw pace and willingness to go for runs but offer that wicket taking threat should be utilised.
Can give it a knock too, which is going to be crucial for him and Cummins with a longer tail.
James Pattinson. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/AFP/Getty Images)
8. Pat Cummins
The world’s best bowler right now. 29 wickets in England was a huge compliment to his awesome skill. Cummins has worked a few of the English top order out, none less than that of Root.
In the 17-18 series, Cummins threatened Root for LBW calls numerous times, in the 2019 series he was castled and nicking off to Cummins. 23 wickets in the 17-18 series, Cummins will look forward to bowling to the Englishmen with little experience of Ashes cricket.
9. Mitchell Starc
Starc recently added 5kg of muscle to his tall frame. Searing pace, Starc may not get picked away from home, but like Warner, in Australian conditions Starc is truly lethal and brutal.
May be expensive, but offers too much of a threat to overlook. His abomination of bouncers to the English tail last series and success against New Zealand last summer showed how valuable Starc is to Paine.
10. Josh Hazlewood
All round package. Like Cummins, Hazlewood has it all in is locker with pace, accuracy and sizeable movement. I think he should have the new ball for this series.
He will surely Test England’s top four with disciplined line and length at quick pace. One of the world’s best and most adaptable on surfaces.
11. Nathan Lyon
Not much to say here. The GOAT. Australia’s best offie has 400 in sight and of course he’ll want to do it against the Poms at his Adelaide crowd if possible.
Cricnut
Roar Rookie
Hi Unders, I think you have pretty much nailed the side, but i think we might see either Travis head or James Pattinson missing out and a young gun all-rounder called Cameron Green making the side. :)
bowledover
Roar Rookie
Id love to see an attack of Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Pattinson. Would be epic. But it wont happen. If …. Aus had a gun wicket keeper batsman, perhaps, but even with Gilly it didnt happen (maybe we didnt have the pace talent to warrant it tho??). And Paine is highly unlikely to bat 6 as others have said. The Second opener and no. 6 batsman are difficult ones – burns hasnt really claimed the spot but hasnt done poorly enough to drop and likely deserves a good chance this time and Wade looked lost against those NZ bouncers – i also feel that form at opener is not the same as form down the order. I am hoping to see great form this coming shield from Burns, Patterson and Maddinson. Or perhaps Khawaja (though his time may be done). Harris has blown his chances for mine, for now. He didnt show the right attitude, technique and his fielding wasnt great. Everyone talks up Green and he looks a good prospect… but id give him a bit more time to develop.
Mike B
Guest
*Kallis
Mike B
Guest
Paine will never be picked at no.6. It just won't and shouldn't happen. I think the history of test cricket shows that you need 6 test level batsmen to make a strong test team. It has also shown that having 5 frontline bowlers is difficult to manage. The best balance is having 4 frontline bowlers and a great 5th bowling option such as Kalisz, Sobers, Botham, Miller. Of course those guys were so good they gave you 5 frontline bowlers but they were the exception. Shane Watson (when fit) was an excellent 5th bowler. The Australian way has always been to back 4 test level bowlers to do the job. Pick experts - 6 batsmen (hopefully one can bowl a few overs as a back up), a quality keeper who can bat at 7, and four quality bowlers. I don't see any need to pick 5 bowlers and only 5 batsmen. If you want Patto, Cummins, Starc and Hazelwood in the same team then Lyon should miss out.
Peter Farrar
Roar Pro
Interesting article, thanks. I'm sure there will be much discussion on this. as well as speculation on how English preparations are coming along. No doubt the summer series here against India will have considerable bearing on team selections. I believe emerging talent is the problem for Australia. If any of our first choices are injured or become unavailable, things fall away for replacements. There's certainly some potential but largely with players who haven't really established themselves yet in our Sheffield Shield domestic competition. I feel for example the jury is out on Joe Burns and he really needs to impress. But if he doesn't, the cupboard looks bare. Marcus Harris? Usman Khawaja? Wil Pucovski? No certainties there. Perhaps the coming test and domestic season will ink in some names.
Paul
Roar Guru
I'd certainly hate to be Burns, Sibley and co if the attack you described was let loose on a bouncy Perth or Brisbane pitch. The Shield was allowed to become a third rate competition under the previous Cricket Australia regime, who didn't grasp how important it was in developing our players. As a result, we're lacking good test batsmen and spinners. I seem to think the same has happened in the County scene?
Unders
Roar Pro
Cheers Paul. I knew it would be a risk playing a 4 man pace attack. Personally I think this is the team I'd like to see play, compared to a more conservative team that will play. The all-rounder conundrum is something selectors have not put faith in or bothered developing in the last few years. Unfortunately it means that Sheffield State talent will only be in and out. temporary members. But even for one game, this gamble, if paid off would be insane with Pattinson, Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood sending down some corkers.
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
I like Green. Probably not easy for him though......
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
Thanks Unders, never too soon to think about those Ashes. I'm also close to 100% certain that Paine wont bat at 6. For years we had the best wicketkeeper-batsmen in history and never moved him into the #6 slot, I cannot see it happening with the "handy lower-order-batsman" in Tim Paine. Still some time to go before the series, you cannot see any bolters this far out? Maddinson and Green would seem reasonable options this far out.
AREH
Roar Guru
Two top-six slots may be up in the air until then, unless Burns and/or Wade can nail their place. Arguably Head too, but with his promising start and vice-captaincy (Granted, it doesn't guarantee anything, see M.Marsh) he is surely viewed as a long-termer! Pucovski and Green are the obvious next ones with the quality that suggests very likely to succeed at test level. Would not have a clue who else - but suspect any of Harris/Bancroft/Patterson/D.Hughes/Maddinson would be a shot with a pile of runs behind them
Ace
Roar Rookie
I have to agree with the previous two comments. A tried and tested formula has always been 6 batsmen and I for one would like to see a fit Green at no 6. I thought Wade had lost something , in his game against New Zealand , when he kept shouldering arms to the short pitched ball ..so to me that emphasises the point about carrying a young fresh face to be there for the future. It could be Patterson or Maddison but Puckovski seems to be reluctant. Anyway, SIX batsmen.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
You will lose a lot of money betting that Tim Paine will bat at 6 in the Ashes next year. Adam Gilchrist almost never batted 7 so they won’t start with Paine. Teams with strong bowling lineups don’t need more than four frontline bowlers plus someone who can backup occasionally. Ideally this will be a medium pacer who won’t go for too many runs, so that’s a potential weak spot for the current lineup, but it’s more important to maximise the batting when you have a couple of weak links. The selectors should feel that they have enough backup between Labuschagne, Head and Smith, and maybe Labuschagne can keep improving and even be a threat at times. Wade’s position seems the most under threat at the moment. It’s anyone’s guess who will come through in 18 months’ time: many would have money on Patterson or Pucovski, though Nic Maddinson is a dark horse to get back in the Test team. Cameron Green from WA is an all rounder who could eventually fill the sixth batting spot.
Paul
Roar Guru
hi Unders, good to see a piece from the Old Dart. My first thought when I read your selections was about team balance and I'm not sure you've got that right. Selectors in Australia tend to be pretty conservative and will generally use a formula of 6 batsmen, the keeper and 4 bowlers. The only time they might stray from that is if they decide to play "the unicorn" - the mythical Australian Test all-rounder. Right now, I think you've got it pretty right, though Pattinson would probably miss out on the First Test, leaving Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Lyon as the attack with Labuschagne & Smith as support. Paine would bat 7 and I'd have Puckovski or Kurtis Patterson at 6. If Cameron Green has another strong summer with both bat and ball, he could easily find himself at number 6 against Joe Root's guys in 18 months.