Selection headaches among five big Ashes talking points

AUSTRALIA’S pace battery sharpened its teeth with a 2-0 series win over West Indies, highlighting just one dilemma selectors are facing.

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - JUNE 13: Steve Smith of Australia prepares to bat after the tea break during day three of the Second Test match between Australia and the West Indies at Sabina Park on June 13, 2015 in Kingston, Jamaica. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

AUSTRALIA’S pace battery sharpened its teeth for the Ashes in propelling the tourists to a 2-0 series win over West Indies, but the impressive display has highlighted the dilemma selectors are facing with five big talking points emerging from ahead of our clash with the Old Enemy.

1. DON’T FORGET ABOUT ME

Quick Josh Hazlewood will be hard to look past for selection in Australia’s Ashes side for the First Test.

RYAN Harris was Australia’s best bowler with 24 wickets during the 3-0 Ashes loss in England in 2013, but does he have the runs on the board to demand a spot straight back into the Aussie XI when Starc and Josh Hazlewood have shone against the West Indies?

The 35-year-old’s decision to miss the Caribbean tour for the birth of his first child could cost him his Ashes dream.

The veteran has publicly declared the brief rest has him in “unbelievable” shape, but doubts remain over Harris’ ability to get through five Tests without injury niggles.

Hazlewood claimed 12 scalps at an average of 8.33 against the West Indies, while Starc (10 wickets at 16) and Johnson (eight wickets at 18.62) also did everything captain Michael Clarke asked of them.

It seems incredibly unfair, but Harris could now be the odd man out looking at having to excel in the opening tour matches against Kent and Essex, beginning June 25, to break back into the side he looked certain to be a part of a few months ago.

2. TREVOR BAYLISS

Ashes Villain Stuart Broad will have a spring in his step thanks to Aussie coach Trevor Bayliss.

FORMER NSW coach Trevor Bayliss is the real deal.

Since being given the job of transforming England from basket case to baller, Bayliss has already added some spunk to England’s ODI side while calling the shots from an arm chair in Sydney.

Bayliss doesn’t arrive in England until next month, but a few phone calls and emails to England assistant coach Paul Farbrace has fired up an England squad that has moved on quickly from its disastrous ODI World Cup campaign which ended with the sacking of former coach Peter Moores.

Playing without fear has been a catchcry of England’s series against New Zealand, and that confidence could be enough to fuel England’s senior players back into Ashes contenders.

Bayliss also has a scary knowledge of Australia’s players and has already been spilling the beans on any technical flaws England may be able to take advantage of come the first Test in Cardiff on July 8.

3. CHRIS ROGERS

Chris Rogers didn’t get a start in the Caribbean.

CHRIS Rogers is a favourite of Aussie coach Darren Lehmann and has a history of dominating on England’s pitches.

The man known as “Bucky” missed both Tests against the West Indies because of concussion symptoms after a stray bouncer struck him in the helmet and his absence gave Shaun Marsh a perfect Ashes audition.

He didn’t take his opportunity.

Needing to standout against the West Indies attack, Marsh struggled with 112 runs at an average of 37.3, leaving Rogers as the leading candidate to walk out with Warner on day one of the first Test.

4. FAWAD’S DEBUT

He didn’t get to play any cricket in the West Indies, but spinner Fawad Ahmed at least got some much needed practice on his drop punt.

THE feel good story that hasn’t happened. Yet.

Aussie spinner Fawad Ahmed was supposed to wear his first baggy green cap against the West Indies, but the fairytale belonged to batsman Adam Voges.

The former Pakistani asylum seeker, couldn’t get a look in on the dusty Caribbean decks.

With Nathan Lyon proving last summer he can bowl Australia to Test wins on day four and day five wickets, Ahmed seems unlikely to make his debut during the Ashes.

Clarke said recently Ahmed will likely only come into contention if a pitch demands the selection of two spinners, leaving Lyon feeling pretty comfortable about his Ashes selection.

5. STEVE SMITH

Steve Smith has become England’s biggest nightmare.

THE baby faced assassin has become the man England most fears, maybe even more than Mitchell Johnson.

Cricket Australia posted a tweet this morning of Steve Smith staring down a camera lens with the caption, “See you soon @englandcricket.” It almost looked frightening. Almost.

But if you’re an English bowler, the sight of Smith, bum fluff on his chin and innocence in his eyes, would be genuinely terrifying.

His move to first drop against the West Indies did nothing to slow the run-machine’s momentum.

Smith’s knocks of 199 and 54 not out earned him man-of-the-match honours in the second Test and he’ll carry that form onto the flight to England with him.