Australia's Ashes squad is about to be revealed, and the tension is palpable! Who will make the cut for that crucial first Test against England? National selector George Bailey is set to announce the team, but the battle for spots is so tight, it's described as being on a 'knife's edge.' One wrong move, and a player's Ashes dream could be shattered.
On Wednesday, from Perth Stadium, Bailey will finally end months of speculation, revealing the lineup for the opening Ashes Test. He'll be speaking to reporters from the Gold Coast at 11am local time (12pm AEDT), ready to unveil who will partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the batting order and which fast bowler will step up to fill the massive void left by the injured captain, Pat Cummins. You can catch all the action LIVE and ad-free on FOX CRICKET on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Sign up now and get your first month for just $1!
The big question marks revolve around two key positions: opener and reserve fast bowler. Let's dive into the contenders!
The Opening Dilemma: Who Partners Khawaja?
Sam Konstas was Khawaja’s most recent opening partner, but his form has been less than stellar. Averaging just 20.33 in six Sheffield Shield innings after a disappointing West Indies tour, the door is wide open for a fresh face at the top.
Jake Weatherald, the Tasmanian opener, has been a name circulating for a while. He's notched three fifties in six innings this summer, indicating promise. But here's where it gets controversial... insiders suggest that Weatherald, despite his form, might be overlooked. The reason? Selectors may want to accommodate both Cameron Green and Beau Webster in the top six. If this happens, Marnus Labuschagne could be promoted to open alongside Khawaja.
Labuschagne, remember, was dropped for the recent West Indies tour. But he's responded in spectacular fashion, setting the domestic scene ablaze with a remarkable five centuries in eight innings across both four-day and one-day cricket. But and this is the part most people miss... he hasn’t been opening for Queensland during this purple patch. Selectors, however, don't seem overly concerned about this detail. Labuschagne has only opened once for Australia in a Test match, scoring 17 and 22 in the World Test Championship Final loss against South Africa in June.
Queensland stalwart Matt Renshaw, an experienced Australian opener, remains in contention for the initial squad announcement. He even made his ODI debut just weeks ago. However, at this stage, a recall to the final XI on November 21st seems less likely.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the selection battle between Weatherald and Renshaw is incredibly tight, described as being on a "knife-edge" by a source close to the selection discussions. Renshaw last played Test cricket in February 2023 in India, adding to his total of 14 Tests since his 2016 debut. A source close to Konstas has reportedly accepted that the young player will likely lose his spot, with selectors favoring a more experienced partner for Khawaja.
The All-Rounder Equation: Green, Webster, and the Bowling Attack
In Labuschagne’s absence at number three, Cameron Green has filled the void in Australia’s last four Tests, averaging 23.5 from eight innings with just one half-century. While his numbers aren't exactly setting the world on fire, the 26-year-old did spend crucial time at the crease during the West Indies tour, scoring 52, 46, and 42 in his last three innings on challenging batting tracks.
However, Green's bowling capacity for the Ashes remains uncertain. He missed Australia’s recent ODI series against India due to side soreness and didn't bowl in Western Australia’s most recent first-class match against South Australia. This uncertainty could thrust Beau Webster into a more significant role as Australia’s fourth seamer, especially considering he's only recently returned from an ankle injury that sidelined him for Tasmania’s first two Shield matches. Webster missed out with the bat against Victoria but bowled 23 overs across the match, maintaining a respectable economy rate of 2.35.
The Fast Bowling Cartel: Who Fills Boland's Spot?
With Steve Smith, Travis Head, and Alex Carey locked into their respective positions, and the pace attack spearheaded by Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Scott Boland in Cummins' absence, the focus shifts to the reserve fast bowler. Boland's likely selection for the first Test creates a vacancy in the squad, with uncapped duo Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott emerging as the frontrunners to fill that role. Doggett recently impressed with a 6/48 performance against WA in his opening first-class fixture of the spring. Queensland veteran Michael Neser, a long-time member of Australia’s red-ball setup and a Test debutant against England in 2021, is also in the mix.
So, who will make the final cut? The decisions are tough, and the stakes are high. The composition of the squad will significantly impact Australia’s chances of retaining the Ashes.
What are your thoughts? Do you agree with the potential selection choices? Should experience be prioritized over form? Is Labuschagne the right choice to open if Weatherald and Renshaw miss out? Who should be the reserve fast bowler? Let us know your predictions and opinions in the comments below! This is where opinions might differ, and we want to hear yours.
