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.
My squad (age on arrival in England)
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.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Lyth cannot bat, he refuses to turn one’s into twos, got so far behind the run rate that both Bancroft and Inglis got out taking risks. Lyth cost about 15 runs in the field. At least the ‘new Pom’, Steve Eskinasi has played grade cricket in WA for many years…he’s sort of a West Aussie. Connolly would be great. Scored 170 for Scarborough the other day. Good little left arm orthodox spinner too. I’d like McKenzie to play ahead of Hatzoglou too.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Sammy is better than just "a Freo boy". He was a junior at my club, South Bunbury.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Personally I rate Whiteman ahead of Bancroft. Both could play for Australia but I think Sam has a better technique and has a slightly better game for English conditions, (Plus he’s a Freo boy). Broad and Jimmy worked Bancroft out last time round. Not sure how Lyth gets games, he’s horrible. Would rather see them back youth and give Connolly a run.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Don't forget Neser! He'd go great in England.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Hunt has done good on virtually every Shield pitch against all opponents. But yeah, would be strange to throw him in for a debut in an Ashes in England.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
don going off point as usual. nope not locked in yesteryear going off the last form in England . the openers were a mess in that series except labuschsagne who effectively opened half the time anyway . don doesn’t support his own state talent in Whitman either . maybe you like Harris and hunt more to open coming up. not very loyal to wa don
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Good grief! You are locked in yesteryear. I suppose you think Steve Smith is still the teams primary spinner.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Each ground may have different conditions and rotations of bowling will be wise based on past performances there . At lord’s if wicket is typically greener with movement: Renshaw Khawaja Labs Smith Head (Acid test for him in England ) Green Carey Cummins Hazelwood Boland Richardson England would struggle against that quartet and I doubt Lyon is needed at lord’s if pitch was like last time . if it’s a Baz ball pitch with bounce I’d bring Lyon in . My back ups whiteman , Bancroft (Struggled last time ) and an all rounder like Mitch marsh who does go better at two pitches in England than anywhere else or Hardie . The bowling seems so obvious to me . Starc Richardson and Morris should go though with Swepson I think . Next up neser . Lyon tends to be auto pick in England when he shouldn’t be necessarily at a few grounds where he has been smashed for runs which has hurt Australia’s result . rotation will be key
Pierro
Roar Rookie
they worked out Bancroft in England before he’d need to have changed alot for pitches there . I was a fan before sandpaper gate but in England they do work out players weaknesses on pitches . labs and smith the only two to master them last time round . I’m hoping head can improve and not be so aggressive although if they prepare baz ball pitches head will clobber . I’m surprised you have little faith in whiteman he’s been consistent over two years , av. 58 in front of all them last shield season but 49 this season . he made a great century last shield final in tricky conditions from memory. it seems to me it’s renshaw v whiteman v Bancroft . They could open with two of them . I wouldn’t touch Harris there again or warner after last time they flopped. Bancroft and khawaja both face more balls for unimpressive totals but they were better than warner and Harris last series on England taking shine off ball for labs who opened many times there anyway and could be an opener if they wanted in uk
Pierro
Roar Rookie
I think the key is joshy will probably need rotation. I’m not convinced about Lyon as much in England depends on pitch but an attack at say lord’s if it’s green with Hazelwood cummins and Boland would be relentless. Then Lyon but starc down the slope has been lethal there or Richardson perhaps if fit . Morris remains a smokey if starc or Richardson can’t start . Lyon got clobbered at lord’s 5th day last series there in 19 and nearly gave england a win in afternoon he was pretty ineffective in that match and better at a few other grounds . They need to select wisely at each ground . Starc gets clobbered at some grounds and even marsh came on to do a job as he does at some uk pitches . They now have green so at lord’s I tend to think Hazelwood cummins and Boland could crucify them with line and length with green as back up . They have part time spinners too . we’ve needed deeper batting depth there due to poor openers last time round . each ground has some extreme differences . Hazelwood won’t last five tests if past is anything to go buy . we have huge bowling depth with Richardson Boland and even Morris now though . if england prepare baz ball pitches the whole thing changes to a one day style . Richardson could be an asset with stifling bowling from the main 3 Cummins hazel and Boland
Pierro
Roar Rookie
I like this side with Whitman or renshaw oat top m They could be the best opening combo coming up..khawaja deserved more of a chance in 2019 opening but did last longer than others but it wasn't great . he had alot of personal stress back then I think going on from what I've read . warner shouldn't go after last time he's had his chance in uk .
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Mercury conjunct Uranus
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Can we take Babar for the DRS please.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
You've got the bowlers down perfectly for me maybe swepson to go with lyon . I think whiteman would be the straight swap for me for warner given his shield averages and Warner's woeful history there in 2019 where he was a disaster over 10 innings there . I'd advise an Aussie A team go and all Australian match again . not sure if hunt is the man either if renshaw and whiteman go I'd look to another middle order batsmen as back up for head who still has alot to prove in England and India . maybe Hardie is the go . handscomb has been in great form but they got on top of him previously in England .
Pierro
Roar Rookie
rowdy your one of a kind mate .
Pierro
Roar Rookie
hate to say it but a warner fail in Sydney would be a good outcome for the foreign tours
Pierro
Roar Rookie
he had 10 innings to kill it in 2019 he was awful there
Pierro
Roar Rookie
ridiculous if he goes to uk . honestly he should retire scg on a great note. works record worst average of 9 last tour there
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
John Lennon sang a song about Warner ....... "#9, #9, #9, #9 ......"
jameswm
Roar Guru
Yeah that’s fine