Ashes opener set for high drama as Australia and England chase early edge in Perth

NEW DELHI: The build up to the Ashes series starting Friday really began at the end of July 2023 after one of the more heated test cricket battles between Australia and England.

Also READ: Australia confirm their XI for Perth Test, two debutants included

Ben Stokes and his England side won that test at The Oval in South London, but it was still not enough to reclaim the Ashes. Australia had already taken the first two tests and held on by drawing the fourth in a five match series to retain the old urn.

Now the focus shifts to Perth Stadium for Day 1 of a possible 25 that will stretch across seven weeks and five cities.

There are major questions to be answered.

Can an ageing and slightly weakened Australia extend its unbeaten run in Ashes tests on home soil that goes back to the 2010 11 series?

Can Stokes finally end that long drought for England?

Will Joe Root, the worlds top ranked test batter, at last break through with an Ashes hundred in Australia?

And can Stokes and Root taste a test win on Australian soil for the first time?

The Aussies

Australia captain Pat Cummins and fellow pacer Josh Hazlewood will sit out the first test due to injuries, leaving the attack without half of its regular pace strength.

The remaining pair, left arm quick Mitchell Starc and off spinner Nathan Lyon, remain confident that Australia can dominate on what is expected to be a quick and bouncy Perth pitch. Brendan Doggett is set for his test debut alongside Scott Boland, marking the first time an Australian mens test lineup will include two players with Indigenous heritage.

“Good to see the depth in the squad,” Starc said. “We know what Scotty Boland can do, and Doggie is coming off a hot streak at the moment.”

With Cameron Green fit to bowl, he will take the all rounder role and Australia can hand Jake Weatherald his test debut at the age of 31. The move also brings Marnus Labuschagne back to number 3 with stand in skipper Steve Smith at number 4.

The English

Stokes knows the reality well. England have 13 losses, two draws and no wins in their last 15 tests in Australia. But he prefers to look at the 2010 11 squad that famously won the series 3 1.

“I do understand how big a series this is. I have come here absolutely desperate to get home on that plane in January as one of the lucky few captains from England who have come here and been successful,” he said. “A lot has been spoken of about the history and how it has gone for England. This is our chance to create our own history.”

To break the drought, England are likely to unleash a pair of express pace bowlers in conditions that should favour them. Jofra Archer looks ready to thrive in Australia and 35 year old Mark Wood has recovered from a minor hamstring issue to join the 12 man match squad. Stokes will bowl and seamers Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson could also start, although spinner Shoaib Bashir remains part of the 12.

“Jofra and Woody are amazing bowlers and they will be huge for us this series,” Atkinson said. “You hear people talk about tests in Australia and it is all about pace, but recently we have been hearing a bit more about seam movement. It is nice to hear that. Something I am looking forward to.”

Smith’s role

The 36 year old Steve Smith will lead Australia for the third time this year and the seventh time since his captaincy reign ended in the aftermath of the Sandpapergate episode in 2018.

He stepped in the last time England toured Australia in 2021 22 when Cummins had to isolate during the Adelaide test under Covid regulations.

“He is a lot more relaxed as a person all round,” Starc said of his long time teammate. “Even the times that he has captained since, when he has filled in for Pat, it is a different approach.

“He is still that competitive beast and still wants to be the best and will leave no stone unturned. But I think he has found a few ways to switch off from time to time and not be cricket all the time.”

Squads:

Australia: Jack Weatherald, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (captain), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland.

England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith, Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Shoaib Bashir.

(With PTI Inputs)