(Info4now, December 7, 2021)- A champion Michael Clarke had to return from England empty handed twice and in 2013-14 Ashes he successfully bagged the home contest of this prestigious fight. Steven Smith, appointed as the Test captain of Australia, led the team to a good victory in Ashes 2017 and a ball tampering incident followed it in South Africa. As AUS vs ENG 1st Test is to take place in Brisbane, it’s an emotional contest for Australia.
England won the last game at The Oval and denied Australia’s series win. The last time they won the Ashes in Australia was in 2011/12 and will be hoping to repeat with Ben Stokes back in the squad. After Alistair Cook’s departure from test cricket, England are still to find a good opening pair. They lost in India and again lost at home to New Zealand. In the five match series against India on home soil, they are 2-1 behind with one to play later. So they have to compensate a lot as moving towards the Ashes.
Preview: AUS vs ENG 1st Test, Ashes 2021/22, England tour of Australia 2021/22
David Warner back from UAE must cherish his Ashes run from Gabba. Steve Smith is definitely going through a lean patch, but there are reasons that can make him very comfortable. He has good records in Ashes. Back to the side he made a fair amount of contribution to Ashes 2019 in England. And he has become a part of the winning Australia side that lift their first ever World Cup title in T20.
Marnus Labuschagne is a fine middle order batsman and I think, he is going to dominate this series. Gifted with the sublime skill of batting, he is extremely beautiful on the eye. Tim Paine was fantastic behind the wicket and well committed as a leader. Unluckily, he misses the side as a player besides giving up the leadership. So Alex Carey will have the gloves for the first time. Excellent limited over finisher of the game and now to perform in white.
Two all-rounders Travis Head and Cameron Green make the playing XI to stabilize the lower middle order and to have a calculated opportunity to rotate the bowlers. Pat Cummins goes for Mitchell Starc, he being an experienced campaigner. Hazlewood is very comfortable on home turf and moreover, he has got back to his form since his dream run in IPL 2021.
England have much more settled batting line up with Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes and Ollie Robinson having the capability of handling any top order crumbling. These three all-rounders have quality skills to control the game. Stuart Broad is the premier seam bowling option beside left-arm orthodox Jack Leach.
To Conclude
It’s a swing friendly wicket at Gabba, but ball comes to bat very nicely. The overcast situation will offer enough help for the bowlers to start off with smiles. Both the teams have the hangovers of mixed performances in recent times. So the top rivalry of red ball contest may take time to reach the peak of a nail biting contest.
Declared XXII: Ashes 2021/22
Australia: Marcus Harris, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Michell Starc.
England: Haseeb Hameed, Rory Burns, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach. (England declared XII men squad and Mark Wood will probably miss out)