The 74th edition of the Ashes gets underway this month in Australia, and the pressure is on for both sides. England haven’t held the trophy in 10 years and have failed to win a test match in Australia since 2011.
Meanwhile, Australia’s golden era is starting to diminish off the back of a World Test Championship defeat this summer, with the team facing top order issues and an injury to their captain, Pat Cummins.
England’s woes in Australia have been persistent since 2011. In their last 15 Tests Down Under, they have lost thirteen and drawn two. They have an all-time test win record of 32.6% in Australia (however this is surprisingly better than their home Ashes record of 31.2%) and have only won 14 of the 36 series that have been held there.
However, this is a new England side, a side that has reinvented Test cricket through ‘Bazball’ – having only lost 2 of the 12 series since Brendon McCullum took over in 2022. Whilst they have undergone the trial of the Ashes, back at home in 2023, the final frontier remains an away tour to Australia – the ultimate challenge for any England side.
Here is the 16-man squad chosen by England to go to Australia:
Ben Stokes (C), Harry Brook (VC), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Mark Wood
We will give each player one sentence to summarise the expectations and stories around their performance.
Ben Stokes (C)
Career defining; needs to stay fit in order to provide lineup balance and give England any chance of victory.
Zak Crawley
One century (vs Zimbabwe) in the past 28 months, but tipped to be successful against the Aussie bounce.
Ben Duckett
In the form of his life, will be pivotal in preventing those classic English top order collapses – will, can and should he maintain his attacking mentality?
Ollie Pope
Stripped of vice-captaincy, struggled against India and averaged 11.17 last time out – last chance saloon?
Joe Root
Chasing that elusive century and Test win in Australia, could be a legacy-defining series if he walks away with both.
Harry Brook (VC)
First trip Down Under, first series as vice-captain, first Ashes hundred?
Jamie Smith
England’s only real wicketkeeper on the tour, will have to protect the tail with the bat and keep for hundreds of overs: his biggest test yet.
Jacob Bethell
Huge opportunity if he gets a look in, needs to settle in after an underwhelming summer.
Will Jacks
A confusing selection – unlikely to play – but could kickstart his Test career if he gets a go.
Jofra Archer
Incredible Ashes record, despite missing the last 2 series – England’s wildcard.
Gus Atkinson
Fighting for a spot after summer injury, could be deadly if it starts to reverse swing.
Brydon Carse
An important asset on Australian wickets – how will he handle some potentially exhausting spells on flat decks?
Matthew Potts
Hasn’t played Test cricket since December and had a mediocre County Championship, will be fighting his way back in.
Josh Tongue
A fruitful but expensive summer, he potentially starts as the 4th seamer and will be important in cleaning up the Aussie tail.
Mark Wood
England’s highest wicket-taker last time out, forms an exciting duo with Archer if they can stay fit.
Shoaib Bashir
Under immense pressure, not guaranteed to play every game, but will be pivotal matching up to Nathan Lyon.
