We are just three days away from the start of the oldest cricketing rivalries, the Ashes which is scheduled to begin on 23rd November at the Gabba in Brisbane.
It is expected to be a hard-fought series especially with some big names in both the squads. Australia is undoubtedly the favourites going into it, but the England team can’t be ruled out yet, as the despite injury issues and the potential suspension to Ben Stokes they are still a force to reckon with.
Fast bowler Jake Ball and Moeen Ali have recovered in time and are expected to be fit for the opening Test in Gabba, but it remains to be seen, whether Ball gets the nod ahead of a more reliable Chris Woakes who can chip in with some crucial runs lower down the order.
There are chances that both Woakes and Ball could be part of the Playing XI. So, now let us have a look at the England’s predicted XI for the first Test match.
Alastair Cook
The former skipper has been touted by Ricky Ponting to be England’s the fifties player for the upcoming Ashes. The southpaw is one of the most experienced batsmen around and will play a vital role if England has any chances of retaining the urn.
Cook hasn’t been in the best of touches, but given his loads of experience and challenges of playing in some tough conditions, he might well turn out to be the trump card for the visitors.
Mark Stoneman
Stoneman is expected to be Cook’s opening partner at least for the opening Test at the Gabba. He made his debut against the Windies very recently and struck a fluent half-century in one of the three Tests. Stoneman has been impressive in patches, but he has to start showing more consistency if he hopes to cement his place in the team. So far he has played for England in only three Tests scoring 120 runs at an average of 30.
Garry Balance
The southpaw has been brought back to the squad owing to impressive performances in the domestic circuit, and he would look to make amends. Balance doesn’t boast of a sound technique but finds ways to score runs. He hasn’t been consistent enough for a top-order batsman which has been the reason behind his ouster on a number of occasions. He has so far played 23 Tests and scored a shade over 1500 runs at an average of 37 with four centuries behind his name.
Joe Root
Arguably one of the greatest modern-day batsmen, Joe Root will be leading the side for the first time in Ashes. Root has gone on to become one of the mainstays in the England middle-order, and his record is a sheer testimony of his hard work. He has been the pillar of the England team, and in his brief captaincy career so far, he has handled his troops pretty well so far. Root will look to lead from the front and help England retain the Ashes.
Dawid Malan
Malan looked in a good touch during the warm-up games and scored a couple of fifties, and a century in the lead up to the opening Test in Brisbane. The Southpaw looked in very good touch and would look to replicate his performance in the Test series as well. A free-flowing batsman Malan has played for England in five Tests scoring 189 runs at a below-par average of 23.
Jonny Bairstow
The wicket-keeper batsman has been a prolific run-scorer for England in the past couple of years and has become Mr Dependable lower down the order. He has a great temperament as a batsman and can change his style of the game according to the situation. He is also a pretty safe keeper behind the stumps and is one of the main players for England in the upcoming Ashes.
Moeen Ali
The all-rounder has recovered from the injury which he sustained days after landing in Australia. He will lend the ideal balance to the team and will provide the much-needed stability in both batting and bowling departments. Ali has made giant strides as a Test bowler and can easily be vouched as the lead spinner in the team. He is also a useful lower middle-order batsman and boasts of a pretty good Test record.
Chris Woakes
Woakes might get picked ahead of Craig Overton – the potential debutant, as Woakes is a proven customer and also bats pretty well down the order. If the pitch has something on offer, Woakes will be a useful option who can also provide some crucial runs. He is a fine bowler and should be part of the playing XI for the opening Test.
Stuart Broad
In the absence of Ben Stokes, Broad and Anderson will have to take the responsibility, as they will be leading the pace brigade for the opening Test. Broad has gone on to become one of England’s very best and along with Anderson, the duo has forged an indomitable partnership which has gone on for years and is expected to continue for some time more. The experienced campaigner played an important role in England reclaiming the Ashes in 2015-16.
James Anderson
Arguably the greatest fast bowler England has seen, Anderson will definitely look to play an important role in the upcoming series which might well be his last. Despite being on the wrong side of age, Anderson has put up some astonishing performances in the recent past and has seemed to be regaining his lost touch. The leading wicket-taker will definitely look to take up more responsibility and come up with the goods for the visiting team.
Jake Ball
The tall fast-bowler who sustained an injury during a warm-up game has recovered and is expected to be part of the Playing XI for the opening Test. Ball can generate some steep bounce due to his height and on the Australian pitches, he is expected to come in handy.
Also Read: (The Ashes 2017-18: Stats Preview Of The Ashes Played In Australia)
(Ashes 2017/18: 1st Test – Five Australian Players to Watch Out for)