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Opinion
Yes, I know, we still have a Test match to play against South Africa then the second half of the Sheffield Shield. Then our boys are off to India.
All of that is important but the Ashes is life and death (at least for those of us with English relatives who have suddenly started following cricket again!).
Before the Ashes we have a WTC Final to play – so that’s six high intensity Test matches condensed into less than two months. Let’s be realistic here, India will be our opponent in the WTC Final in June. Theoretically, other teams can make it but we have a better chance of finding the Loch Ness monster, Bigfoot and aliens in 2023.
So, our squad needs to have the personnel to beat both India and England.
It is interesting to note that the 2019 Ashes series started on August 1 – the 2023 series will finish on 31st July. This poses some questions about the weather and pitch conditions our team will face – particularly in June.
The first Ashes Test is in Birmingham, starting June 16. A comparison would be playing Test cricket in Hobart in November. Both have an average maximum daily temperature of 19° and a similar number of average rainy days for the month.
For the last Ashes series in England, we took 17 players – including six pace bowlers, an all-rounder, two wicket-keepers, a spinner and seven batsmen.
The mix in 2023 is likely to be similar but the selectors may opt to take an extra pace bowler and an extra batsman. With nine of our core players over the age of 30, there will be injuries and fatigue, causing players to miss games.
Additionally for this important series, our team management should have a variety of players to choose their best XI based on the local conditions. For example, in Birmingham you might play Pat Cummins, Michael Neser and Scott Boland, whilst at Lords you might go with Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Cummins.
So, my suggestion is to take a squad of 19. If cost is a factor maybe some of the CA executives can stay behind.
Fast bowlers
Pat Cummins (30)
Mitchell Starc (33)
Josh Hazelwood (32)
Scott Boland (34)
Michael Neser (33)
Jhye Richardson (26)
Lance Morris (24)
Spinners
Nathan Lyon (35)
Batsmen
Travis Head (29)
Steve Smith (33)
Marnus Labuschagne (28)
David Warner (36)
Usman Khawaja (36)
Matt Renshaw (27)
Henry Hunt (26)
Wicket-keepers
Alex Carey (31)
Josh Inglis (28)
All-rounders
Cameron Green (24)
Aaron Hardie (24)
Who else could make the squad?
Peter Handscomb (32)
He’s thrived on a Junction Oval pitch against Shield bowling but I don’t think his technique would work on seaming England pitches against Mark Wood, Jofra Archer etc. Also, not good enough to be considered as a back-up keeper.
Jimmy Peirson (30)
Comparable first class batting average to Inglis so it comes down to their keeping. This is a very subjective view and best left to experts – most rate Inglis better.
Cameron Bancroft (30)
Unlucky but has had opportunities in England before.
Marcus Harris (30)
Again close but has had opportunities before.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Tim Ward (25)
Probably behind Henry Hunt at this stage but has the second half of the Shield season to press his claims.
Joel Paris (30)
Flies under the radar for some but 119 wickets at 25.6 and a batting average of 25 puts him comfortably ahead of Abbott and marginally ahead of Neser. Also, he offers some variety with his left-arm pace. A definite smokey for the squad.
Sean Abbott (31)
Definitely behind Paris, Neser and Richardson in both bowling and batting and would only be carrying drinks.
Will Sutherland (23)
More of a bowling all-rounder and only averaging 20 with the bat in Sheffield Shield. Can’t see him making the squad ahead of Neser, Paris or even Abbott.
Riley Meredith (26)
Not a chance ahead of Morris based on his first class stats. Averaging 33 with a strike rate of over 55 compared to Morris, averaging 25 with a strike rate of 41.
Todd Murphy (22)
Firming as heir apparent to Nathan Lyon. May have to wait a few more years but with a first class average from seven matches of just 25, he’s done nothing wrong so far.
Ashton Agar (29)
It is unlikely that English conditions would suit him and there are plenty of part-time spin options in the first XI. Looks like he might get a trip to India so, if he does well there he’s still a chance.
Mitch Swepson (29)
Perhaps could replace one of the batsmen in the squad but I’m not sure he’s quite good enough at Test level.
Adam Zampa (31)
Plenty of international experience in T20s and ODIs but really has never been a serious prospect for Test cricket. Averaging 48 in first class cricket.
As the self-appointed sole Australian selector, I am prepared to listen to reasonable arguments but disclosure of personal bias is required. So, if your cousin’s son plays grade cricket with Mitch Swepson and you want to put forward a case for him, no problems, just be up front.
I’m a West Aussie and have included five boys from WA. Perhaps only Morris and Hardie could be argued against and both are unlikely to play a big part in the series.
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