Ashes selection tracker: rating each Aussie hopeful’s chances of facing England
The opening act of the Australian intra-squad match and final audition for Ashes places went the bowlers’ way. Days out from the announcement we rate every player’s chances of making the cut. UPDATED.
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Marnus Labuschagne was the only batsmen to make close to a compelling case for inclusion in the final Ashes squad to be announced at the conclusion of Australia’s intra-squad trial match on a chaotic first day at Southampton.
Having recently become the first batsman to tally 1000 runs this English County Cricket season, Labuschagne top scored with 41 as 17 wickets fell for a combined 201 runs.
Labuschagne also spent longer at the crease than any batsman from either team, with Steve Smith and David Warner both failing to fire in their first four-day game since serving year-long suspensions.
Chief selector Trevor Hohns and coach Justin Langer watched on, and had plenty to discuss.
Veteran seamer Peter Siddle, a strong contender for the fifth fast bowling position in the squad, took 3-20 to add to his cause, while rival Jackson Bird claimed 3-28.
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All-rounder Michael Neser produced the best figures, taking 4-18 after opening the bowling in the morning. His return may have put him ahead in the seam-bowling all-rounder battle, should selectors opt for one, though Mitch Marsh made 29 batting later in the day to press his own claims.
Earlier, Alex Carey’s chances of making a first Ashes squad were boosted when Langer admitted the option existed for a 17 rather than 16 man final squad. Back up spinner Jon Holland, too, might have more of a chance if an extra body is included.
So, with just days to go until the squad is announced, who is making their case and who still has work to do to convince?
**SCORES AND PROSPECTS UPDATED FROM EARLIER ARTICLE**
ASHES HOPEFULS:
Alex Carey
Touted as a future Test keeper — and captain — Carey had a breakout tournament in the World Cup, Australia’s one shining success in an ultimately unsuccessful campaign. His 375 runs at 62.50, at a strike rate of 104.16, showed he had both the technique and temperament for the big stage. One school of thought has it that this Ashes series might have come too soon for him, though expert judges in Shane Warne and Steve Waugh have put forward his case for inclusion on his batting alone and if Matthew Wade is selected as a specialist batsman and Peter Handscomb left out all together, the back-up keeper’s role could be his, especially with a 17 rather than 16 man firming as a likely outcome.
ASHES CHANCES 7/10
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Mitchell Marsh
A big mover closer to an Ashes spot after some solid performances on the Australia A tour - as well as a bright 29 in the first innings of the intra-squad tour match while the recognised batsmen collectively failed - and a firming belief in the camp that a pace-bowling all-roudner is a necessary requirement for the series.
Drafted in to the World Cup training camp when Marcus Stoinis’ fitness was in doubt, Marsh wasn’t needed in the end when his fellow all-rounder recovered from a side strain. Australia are desperate to include a seam bowling all-rounder for the sake of balance in the side and with Stoinis failing to make the extended squad Marsh stands alone as the pick should they follow through with that idea.
ASHES CHANCES 7/10
Marnus Labuschagne
Australia’s incumbent No. 4, Labuschagne’s prospects of retaining his place diminished after a couple of failures against Sri Lanka in the Canberra Test and a less than fruitful finish to the last Sheffield Shield season, but is a strong shout for selection after a fine showing in his County Championship stint with Glamorgan.
The first batsman to 1000 runs — albeit in the second division — at an average in the 70s may have done enough to convince Justin Langer, with whom Labuschagne shares a phenomenal work ethic, he is worth persisting with.
His ability to send down some passable leg breaks may also go in his favour if selectors elect to go in with just a single spinner and rely on the part-timers to offer support.
Top scoring with 41 in the trial match at Southampton will only have increased his chances, offering as it did proof that recent experience against the moving Dukes ball could be a vital ingredient for success.
ASHES CHANCES 8/10
Matthew Wade
Wade last played a Test for Australia in late 2017 but is making a compelling case for a return. The second highest run scorer in the Sheffield Shield last season, with 1021 runs at 60.05, he has carried that form to the Australia A tour of the UK with three centuries and more than 40 on his two ‘failures’.
His wicketkeeping is an extra bow should Australia feel they need back up for Paine, but it will be as an aggressive specialist batsman if he does get the nod. Had to retire hurt in a recent tour match but the medical report is that the injury wasn’t serious.
ASHES CHANCES 8/10
Usman Khawaja
A first pick when fully fit, Khawaja is still recovering from a hamstring injury picked up on World Cup duty, placing a question mark over his ability to contribute from the first Test. Will not take part in the Australia v Australia A match in Southampton, but his recovery is on track.
“I don’t think he’s in serious doubt (for the Ashes),” Tim Paine said. “He won’t play (this week) at this stage ... “but we expect him to be fully fit and available for selection for the first Test.”
ASHES CHANCES 9/10
Marcus Harris
Harris shapes as Warner’s most likely partner at the top of the order - and did so in the trial match in Southampton, though both men scored in single figures - his spot only in any doubt due to an encouraging run of form from others who covet the place.
A stunning Sheffield Shield season — in which he eventually top scored with 1188 at 69.88 and ended with a match-winning century in the final — brought him a Test debut against India in the home summer, where he scored two half centuries in a showing that proved he could handle the big stage. Having missed out on the Sri Lanka series he has been in fine form on Australia A’s tour of the UK.
ASHES CHANCES 8.5/10
Kurtis Patterson
Took his Test opportunity with an unbeaten 114 against Sri Lanka in his debut series in February, Australia’s last long-form outing, and so may feel he deserves to play the first Ashes Test. A genuine talent, though may suffer from the squeeze on places with the return of Steve Smith and David Warner and the form of Matthew Wade. Facing 12 deliveries for just two runs facing team-mates this week will not have encouraged the selectors any, however.
ASHES CHANCES 3/10
Joe Burns
Burns was many people’s pick to open the batting this series thanks to his impressive record of four centuries from 16 Test matches — his last in the Sri Lanka series earlier in the year — and an average north of 40. Though a question mark has been placed over him after returning from County Championship duty with a fatigue related illness at the start of the English season.
Happily over that now he has joined the Australia A tour and immediately returned to the runs but his place in the side remains less certain than it was a few months ago. Battled gamely for his 18 runs in the intra-squad match’s opening innings which, in the circumstances, was actually a minor plus on his personal ledger.
ASHES CHANCES 6/10
Michael Neser
Neser is well-regarded for his ability to get big swing with the English Dukes ball which will be used in the Ashes. And the Queenslander is in form after taking 20 wickets in the final four games of the Sheffield Shield season, at an average of 16.9, when, significantly, the Dukes ball was used. He also averages close to 27 with the bat which could be useful. And may even elevate him to the all-rounder’s role should the selectors omit Mitchell Marsh.
Produced the best figures on day one in Southampton, taking 4-18 after opening the bowling in the morning.
ASHES CHANCES 6/10
Peter Handscomb
Handscomb’s current visit to England has not been an entirely happy one. Drafted in as an injury replacement for the World Cup semi-final, he could not replicate the form that took him close to selection for the original squad, scoring just four runs as Australia were comprehensively beaten by eventual champions England.
Centrally contracted, the selectors clearly view Handscomb as a key member of the set up going forward though he faces stiff competition for a middle order batting position, a competition he is trailing in meaning a second successive squad snub is on the cards.
ASHES CHANCES 5/10
Peter Siddle
Siddle has taken 43 wickets touring the UK at an average of 28.37 from his 11 Tests played, though has only featured in seven matches since the 2015 Ashes.
However, he has been in sparkling form for Essex this season, claiming over 30 scalps at an average a touch over 20.
Australia are likely to pick five pace bowlers to manage the load of a gruelling series and his stump to stump reliability could be useful. Showed he was in-form with 3-20 against his fellow Australians.
ASHES CHANCES 6/10
Cameron Bancroft
The third man in the sandpapergate shambles, Bancroft’s position in the squad was not as secure as Smith and Warner’s and so it has been a longer road back to the side for him, one he is still travelling. Has impressed most commentators with his performances for Durham in the County Championship, where he has struck 726 runs at 45.37 while captaining.
Opened the batting for the Graeme Hick XII alongside Joe Burns but was, like many others, underwhelming.
For all that it would still be a big call to have him open with Warner in front of a rabid, partisan England crowd, but the numbers are in his favour.
ASHES CHANCES 4/10
ASHES LONG SHOTS:
Jackson Bird
An honest toiler who has never let Australia down, Bird’s chances seem slim purely due to the quality of pace bowlers ahead of him in the pecking order. Has been an effective weapon as a new ball bowler on the Australia A tour but his most likely route to the squad rests as much on the fitness of the likes of Pattinson and Hazlewood as it does on his own efforts.
Produced a typically serviceable showing in the trial match with figures of 3-28 as he and the other quicks took advantage of some bowler friendly conditions.
ASHES CHANCES 2/10
Jon Holland
Should Australia deem a specialist back-up spinner a necessary inclusion in the squad, Holland is the man in pole position, though that is not a certainty with Hohns saying it is a question still under consideration.
The Victorian has done plenty on the Australia A tour to make his case, claiming six wickets in the emphatic victory over Sussex earlier this month.
The 32-year-old has been the stand out slow bowler in the Sheffield Shield over the last three years and has played four Test matches, in Sri Lanka in 2016 and against Pakistan in the UAE last October, where his struggles were shared by the team in difficult conditions.
This series shapes as his last realistic shot at further Test honours. Could miss out if the team management trusts in Smith and Labuschagne turning their arm over if required.
ASHES CHANCES 4/10
Will Pucovski
An uncapped squad member in the last Test summer, Pucovski remains an outside bet for an Ashes nod, though put his case forward with a century in Australia A’s tight nine-run win over Gloucestershire at Bristol. That after a tidy half century in the opening match of the tour.
A future Test star in the making but will likely have to wait for his chance.
ASHES CHANCES 1/10
Chris Tremain
Tremain’s 138 wickets at 21 across the last three Sheffield Shield seasons brought him to the fringes of the Test side when named in the squad for the opening two Tests against India last year. He didn’t get a start, however, and looks likely to sit outside the final selection again for the Ashes. Should he be picked he will be in full form and fitness (the latter not necessarily true around the India series) and he has looked sharp in the UK this month. Possibly ahead of Bird in selectors’ thoughts, he appears in a battle with Siddle for the fifth quick position.
ASHES CHANCES 3/10
ASHES ‘CERTAINTIES’:
David Warner
Returned to the Australian side after his 12-month ban and redeemed by runs — the second most in the World Cup in England. Has never scored a Test century in England but guaranteed to open at Edgbaston.
ASHES CHANCES 10/10
Pat Cummins
The Allan Border medallist endured an underwhelming World Cup by his own high standards, but remains a chief weapon in the whites and his consistency and reliability will be invaluable in these Ashes.
ASHES CHANCES 10/10
Josh Hazlewood
Should be well rested after controversially being left out of the World Cup squad while recovering from injury. Will be expected to run in hard in all five Tests now his body is fixed. And should be fired up to prove the folly of his ODI omission.
ASHES CHANCES 10/10
Nathan Lyon
A nemesis for England in the last series on home soil, Lyon has a wealth of experience from a number of Ashes conflicts and is one of the first names on the team-sheet.
ASHES CHANCES 10/10
Tim Paine
Australia’s Test captain is guaranteed his place by virtue of his calm, effective leadership in the wake of the Newlands scandal and his status as the best gloveman available, though will need to contribute with the bat after a relatively barren run in the Australian home summer.
ASHES CHANCES 10/10
Steve Smith
Still working his way back in to the national set up after the emotional burden he has had to carry in the last 18 months. Showed flashes of his old self in the World Cup without dominating bowlers. A proven performer in England, though, and much will be expected of him at first drop.
ASHES CHANCES 10/10
Mitchell Starc
Having taken more wickets in a single World Cup than anyone before him, Starc is set to terrorise English batsmen with the Dukes ball where his ability to get it swinging will make him arguably an even more potent threat.
ASHES CHANCES 10/10
Travis Head
An incumbent in Australia’s middle order, Head has been busy carving up admittedly weak English bowlers on the Australia A tour. But you can only play what’s in front of you and Head has done nothing to imperil his place in the side.
ASHES CHANCES 9.5/10
James Pattinson
A bowler who strikes fear in to England fans due to his ability to swing it both ways and at electric pace, exploiting the extra movement with the Dukes ball at the tail end of a successful Sheffield Shield season. Now free from injury he could be a decisive weapon in this series.
ASHES CHANCES 9.5/10
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