Ashes 2013: Team preview: Australia

‘What do you call a great Australian player? – Retired!’

This was quoted by former England captain Michael Vaughan from his personal Twitter handle during the India series. Maybe it was on the lighter side, but the current bunch of players resemble a shadow of one of the greatest legacies in the history of the game. Ever since the players of the golden era hung up their boots, Australian cricket has gone down the wrong line everywhere – from the management to the players. They were overshadowed by the visiting Proteas, whitewashed by the Indians and were humiliated in a no-win campaign at the Champions Trophy, reflecting the deformation they have gone through over the past 7-8 months.

Off the cricketing field too, the Australians have had their own share of controversies, with four players including Shane Watson getting suspended from the Test side for not completing their ‘homework’ and David Warner losing his mind on two occasions, once on Twitter and the next time in a late-night party.

And as if these were not enough, Mickey Arthur was sacked as the head coach, weeks prior to the tournament, giving former cricketer Darren Lehmann a stint at the position. Their team selection for the Ashes has also been quite baffling, with in-form men like Mitchell Johnson, Steven Smith and George Bailey left out of the first-choice squad, before Smith was recalled a few days back.

With all these issues, they enter cricket’s most prestigious tournament, the Ashes.

Batting

The Australian batting revolves around two players – Shane Watson and Michael Clarke. The former, who is all set to be back at his favourite position on the batting order, will hold the key to Australia’s fortune in the Ashes. Lehmann has also assured that the 35-year-old Chris Rogers, who will be playing in only his second Test match for the side, will accompany Watson at the top in the first game.

Ed Cowan and Usman Khawaja have promised a lot more than they have actually delivered. Philip Hughes’ inability to handle spin has been very often exposed and this series will be another opportunity for the southpaw to make his presence felt in the Aussie side. David Warner has been going through some awful time, both on and off the pitch, though he has received the backing of the head coach.

All eyes will be on Michael Clarke’s fitness rather than his form with his troublesome back stopping him from gathering runs in his golden period with the bat. Although this format of the game doesn’t very much get along with Steven Smith’s style of play, he has worked really hard to keep himself in contention for a place in the team. Brad Haddin has been recalled after being on the sidelines for over a year and he will be eager in justifying the faith shown on him by the management.

Bowling

The Australian pace attack will surely be rated along the best in the world at the moment. Though James Pattinson, Peter Siddle and co haven’t done extremely well to step into the shoes of their glorious predecessors, they have been convincing enough to trouble batting line-ups in seamer friendly conditions.

While Pattinson and Siddle have been in good form, Mitchell Starc was nowhere close to his best against India in the last series. James Faulkner has been the biggest revelation for the Aussies this year and Ryan Harris’ return might inject a bit of confidence into the young side.

Nathan Lyon hasn’t really established himself against quality players of spin, as it was clearly evident in the sub-continent, while his back-up Ashton Agar, considered to be the next-big-thing, is yet to showcase his skills on a bigger stage.

Strength

The only thing that Australia could count upon in the tournament would be its pace bowling unit. James Pattinson, who was the only consolation in the India series, can produce enough movement to trouble the openers while Siddle can be a dangerous customer with both the old and new ball. Along with Harris, Faulkner and newcomer Jackson Bird, the Pattinson – Siddle duo could be more than threatening on English pitches.

Weaknesses

1. Top-order: Ed Cowan, Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja and David Warner. I will go ahead and classify them as bits-and-pieces players. Two out of these four will be batting at the pivotal third and fourth spots and this will be the biggest of all the troubles for the Aussies.

2. Slow bowlers: Nathan Lyon is obviously the best available spinner from the island continent at the moment, but on a larger scale, he is nowhere near the likes of Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar. Shane Warne might well be remembered as the last legendary spinner from Australia.

Key Players

1. Shane Watson – On his day, he could be the most fearsome batsman in world cricket. One of the most complete all-rounders of today, his batting and bowling could definitely make a huge impact on the result of the tournament.

2. Michael Clarke – The Australian batting brigade is built around this man, who would also be joining hands with his former team-mate Darren Lehmann to work under different circumstances today. Not an usual thing for an Australian captain, he would be responsible for revamping the spirit into a side that has had quite a miserable season.

3. James Faulkner – A handy lower order batsman and an accurate fast bowler, he has been in ominous form in the domestic circuit for a couple of seasons. Yet to feature in the whites for his national side, he definitely has the capability to become the most celebrated player by the end of the Ashes.

X-factor

Chris Rogers could be one guy who could command the proceedings at the top of the order. It looks like it has taken 15 years and 239 first class matches for Rogers to get the first break of his career. His eight-year experience with the English county teams would probably give him everything that one wants to know about English conditions.

Prediction

Maybe the Aussies could put up a good fight, but I predict the Englishmen to come out on top in at least three out of the five encounters.

Yes, the Ashes will stay in England.

Squad

Michael Clarke (capt), Brad Haddin (vice-capt), David Warner, Ed Cowan, Chris Rogers, Phil Hughes, Shane Watson, Usman Khawaja, Matthew Wade, James Faulkner, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson, Ryan Harris, Jackson Bird, Nathan Lyon.

Probable XI (for the first Test)

Watson, Rogers, Cowan, Khawaja, Clarke, Haddin, Smith, Faulkner, Lyon, Siddle, Pattinson.