Mike Atherton Feels England can Win despite Terming Ashes Squad ‘Odd-Looking’

Sep 27, 2017 at 8:11 PM

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Mike Atherton Feels England can Win despite Terming Ashes Squad ‘Odd-Looking’

Former England opener batsman and concurrently working as a broadcast journalist Mike Atherton on Wednesday has termed the 17-member squad for Ashes 2017-18 as ‘odd-looking’ after being announced by England Cricket Board (ECB).

“I usually reckon England don’t go as favourites. But you look at that Australia side and it flawed as well in similar ways to England,” Atherton told Sky Sports.

The national selector chairman James Whitaker for ECB already announced three uncapped players for the traditional series which includes paceman Craig Overton (23), leg-spinner Mason Crane and gloveman Ben Foakes (24), as a backup for wicket-keeper batsman Jonny Bairstow in Australia.

While discussing the squad to its length and breadth, Atherton stated the upcoming tour to Australia is vital for England camp alongside youngsters.

“And one or two surprises… It’s an odd-looking squad. You got probably eight or nine high-class players though very experienced and they are going to be absolute certain for the first Test in Brisbane,” Atherton added.

The national selector James Whitaker for ECB has also announced three uncapped players for the traditional series which includes paceman Craig Overton (23), leg-spinner Mason Crane and gloveman Ben Foakes (24), as a backup for wicket-keeper batsman Jonny Bairstow.

“[Craig] Overton has a good season. He is tall… He hits the deck and has led Somerset’s attack well again you can see the reasons why he was picked,” Atherton stated.

However, in a three-minute two-second video for Sky Sports, Atherton admitted the fact of unusual selections thoroughly while adding the newly-appointed skipper Joe Root’s side is capable of winning the traditional series.

“Australia is as flawed as England. England [visitors] have got a chance obviously,” Atherton remarked.

Moreover, despite struggling in their Test appearances in the recent past, the middle-order batsmen James Vince and Gary Ballance were recalled in the squad.

“And then the rest of the squad is untried and untested. And the selectors stay in bit of a pun really by bringing James Vince and Garry Balance back,” Atherton said.

The 49-year-old Lancashire-born Atherton reveals England’s strength has been their batting and they would be eyeing to rely on the senior players including former skipper Alastair Cook.

“You know one of the huge strength for England has been their batting over the last two years and that there is nobody really grabbed a place for themselves,” Atherton further added.

Odd selections won’t deter England from winning against Ashes rivals Australia. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

(Read Also: Sam Billings Added To England Squad In Place Of Ben Stokes)

However, Atherton believes the selection committee could have further made best possible choices while adding it was indeed a tough picking owing to the pick and choose.

“So, I may have got sympathy with the selectors’ decisions they have to make,” Atherton maintained.

The ex-right-handed batsman, Atherton for Three Lions, has played a pivotal role while donning the white jersey during his international stint between 1989 and 2001.

Following the stress fracture, Toby Roland-Jones was ruled out as Somerset’s fast bowler, Overton fetched his place to leave his impact with sheer hard work.

“Great sympathy for Toby Roland-Jones in 2019 he might get another opportunity in the Ashes,” Atherton concluded.

Atherton also played 54 ODIs for England in which he scored 1,791 runs at an average of 35.11.

The defending Ashes winners are scheduled to play its first Test on November 23 at Gabba in Brisbane.

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