Who should Australia pick for the Ashes?

Jacob Tyson

The Ashes is around the corner and the selection debate is in season. The T20 world cup champions have an endless supply of quality within their ranks, and as we know winning is contagious. Here’s my take on who the Aussies should select in their XI to take down the English.

Opening Batsmen - David Warner

As close to a lock in the Aussie team as you will get, Warner can go 10 months without a ton and would still get picked. The Aussie opener was the player of the tournament in the T20 so we’re all hoping he retains that form, but for those with a longer memory than the average dribbler, Warner was toyed with in the last ashes. I think he deserves his spot, but this summer will be extremely interesting for Warner.

Opening Batsmen - Marcus Harris

Three years ago against India, Harris was one of, if not our best batsmen, he has the potential to be amazing for Australia. Yet his less than humble test average of 23.8 would be reason enough to leave him out. I would have been in that crowd until Will Pucovski went down with his 10th concussion in the last 3-4 years or so. The fact of the matter is, there is no one in better form that is actually available. Side note: Harris was carving up the county cricket, which is the same form line we had from Marnus coming into that 2019 ashes series. Signs?

First Drop - Marnus Labuschagne

Right hand man and servant to Sir Steven Peter Devereux Smith, Labuschagne is the best thing to happen to Australian cricket since the 2013 ashes. Him and Smudge will hold this top order down for the next 3 years or whenever Smudge decides to hang up the boots.

Second Drop - Steve Smith

The best batsmen in the world, Steve Smith returns to test cricket’s finest arena. Expect some records from the man of the series in 2019. Hundreds soon.

NO. 5 - Usman Khawaja

OK, hear me out with this one. This bloke is in the best form of anyone in the sheffield shield and he has runs on the board in Aussie colours. We don’t have a gun No.5 and Usman is able to play freely when he wants to, in fact Usman letting the arms free can probably help him perform his best.

NO. 6 - Cameron Green

Despite shouldering arms to the lightning pace of Marnus Labuschagne, and subsequently losing his off stump, Cameron Green is still the best all-rounder in the nation. Green is a gun batsman and his bowling was good without reward against India last summer. Expect big things from the young gun in the ashes.

NO.7 - Tim Paine (C) (WK)

The Test captain, I believe, is beginning his last summer with the Australian cricket team. With all he has done for the nation, he can’t be left out, despite criticisms over his form. By the way, why is there an issue with having a gun keeper who averages 30? Because T. Paine is still the best keeper in the world and is handy for a game saving 70*.

NO.8 - Pat Cummins

The best bowler in the world. I cannot wait to see him ripping out poles and hitting helmets. With the English missing Jofra Archer, Cummins will be the star of the fast bowlers. I expect big things out of him.

NO.9 - Jhye Richardson

Mitchell Starc is a notable exclusion from this list, and I’ll explain why. I haven’t liked Starc in red ball cricket for a while now. I believe he is too erratic and people aren’t put off by his speed anymore. His radar has been off for a long time now and surely he can’t be rewarded for mediocrity again. Anyways, Jhye Richardson has performed well enough to catch my eye in Shield cricket and I’ve wanted him playing test cricket for the last few years and he carved up with his one opportunity thus far.

NO.10 - Nathan Lyon

The GOAT, Lyon’s 399 wickets is expected to clock over to 400 come the first test in December. This one is another one of the sure certainties for the test side.

NO.11 - Josh Hazlewood

Josh Hazlewood is another one of our fast bowlers who are feared at the world stage. His form in the T20 world cup was amazing and he is one of our best players year in, year out.

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