As the Ashes starts on July 8 at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff a lot of things will be at stake. After drawing the Test series and winning the ODI series against New Zealand, England squad look confident at home for the Ashes series against arch-rival Australia. Verbal bullies Australia, on and off field, will spark plenty of comments. Barrage of fast balls towards English batsmen from Australian bowling attack will be an entertaining one to watch. Meanwhile, it will be also very interesting to watch how Australians handle venomous swing of Anderson. At home England will not give Australia an inch space, at the same time it will be a challenge for Aussies to defend the title, which they won at home in 2013/2014.
We here at Sportzwiki pick an Ashes XI from the current bunch of player which could be as interesting as the Ashes:
Openers
Alastair Cook: The English opener is the first choice for the opener slot. After a long rough patch he regained his form against New Zealand, scored one century. This in-form southpaw’s gritty determination and ability to score runs despite obvious limitations is mind-blowing to watch. He can play elongated innings.
David Warner: The Aussie likes to hammer the ball. If Cook keeps giving him strike he could score as per his wish. The duo could cause headache to any bowling attack of the World.
Top Order
Steve Smith: The number one batsman in Test cricket this year will feature in any team of the world. He has the quality to anchor the innings. Coming in at number three he could read the game for a session, then from his second session he could apply his superb stroke play for a long innings.
Michael Clark (C): The captain of the squad is not in his best form these days. But if he gets his going then he will just be unstoppable. He has the ability to play the ball around wicket. His on-drive through the midwicket is one the best in cricket.
Middle Order:
Joe Root: I’ll keep Joe Root as the fifth down batsman. His partnership with Michael Clark in the middle of the innings is vital for the team to put formidable total on board.
Ben Stokes: If the opponent team turns around their, then a counter-attacking partnership is required. As the cricket is great game of uncertainties anybody could fail at anytime. So, considering current form, I’ll pick Ben Stokes, the 24 years old promising English left hander. He could build partnership either with Clarke or Root to give momentum to the innings.
Wicketkeeper
Brad Haddin: The experienced Aussie is my first choice for the slot of wicketkeeper. He has tools to keep vigil eye behind the wicket. His batting technique is effy, to say the least, but he got an edge over Jos Buttler due to his habit of scoring runs in crisis as he showcased last season.
Bowlers
James Anderson: His venomous swing with medium fast bowling on English soil is second to none. If his swing perfectly blends with furiously fast bowling of Mitchell Johnson, then just imagine what could happen. The opposition batsmen at the pitch will not last for long.
Mitchell Strac: His express pace with venomous in-swing troubles best in cricket. It will be a formidable side comprising of Jimmy, Johnson and Strac.
Mitchell Johnson: If you want to break your hands then face Johnson. His feisty fast bowling with “sledging” not only affects your on-field life but also make you life hell off the field. Psychological disorder is the immediate result of his bowling; ask Graeme Smith and Jonathan Trott.
Spinner:
Nathan Lyon: I don’t have better spin option than Aussie off spinner Lyon as English cricket is struggling to make decision between Adil Rashid and Moin Ali. Besides that, Lyon is in good form. He scripted a history in West Indies. He could provide s vital assistance to his captain in the second innings when rough is created on the pitch and the ball turns.
12th man
Stuart Broad: As the match will be played on English soil, he will be the perfect replacement to any injured bowler.