The most anticipated 2017 Ashes series between two fiercest rivals is about to start from 23rd November at Gabba, Brisbane. It promises to be cracking contest. England will be captained by Joe Root while Australia will be led by Steve Smith.
Last time, England visited Australia for the Ashes in 2013/14, Mitchell Johnson took 37 wickets and whitewashed the visitors 5-0. England is the defending Champions of the Ashes that they won in 2015. Australia has announced the Ashes squad for the first two test matches, With a lot of good quality players on each side.
Here we look at the top 8 players which might decide the fate of England- Australia Ashes series:-
- David Warner
David Warner will play an important role for Australia in the upcoming Ashes test series. He will open the innings with Bancroft. In the previous test series against Bangladesh in tough conditions, Warner scored 2 centuries and helped Australia to draw the series. His ability to give quick fire starts and put the opposition under tremendous pressure.
It is going to be important for Warner to play with positive intent and score runs if Australia is to retain the Ashes. In the 2013/14 Ashes series held in Australia, Warner scored 523 runs in 5 matches ( 10 innings) with 2 centuries and 2 half-centuries. In 2015 Ashes series, Warner made 418 runs in 5 matches ( 9 innings) but could not save Australia to lose the series.
- Alastair Cook
Alastair Cook is the most experienced batsmen in this current batting line up. He has a solid technique against the pace bowler and plays the spinner well. It is going to crucial for Cook to give the visitors a good start against top quality opening bowlers of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
Cook needs to show the same patience if England has to regain the Ashes 2017. In Ashes 2015, Cook made 330 runs in 5 matches ( 9 innings) with 2 half centuries. He is one top scorer in Ashes history with 2117 runs in 30 matches ( 55 innings). Being the senior member, Cook must score runs at the top and help England to post a competitive total.
- Steve Smith
Steve Smith the captain has to play a key role in the upcoming Ashes series. It is going to biggest series for Smith with the bat and also with the captaincy. In 2015, Steve Smith was the leading runs scorer with 508 runs in 5 matches (9 innings).
He made 2 centuries and 1 half century during that series. He has been in decent form this year. If Australia is to retain the Ashes, Steve Smith must lead from the front.
Joe Root is another experienced player in this England current batting order. He will be captaining the young England team in such big series for the first time. Root performed well in the previous Ashes series held at England scoring 460 runs in 5 matches (9 matches) and led England to win the prestigious series back to England.
It is going to be a huge task for the Joe Root to perform against Australia in their own den. If England is to perform well, Joe Root has to play a big role according to the situation of the game.
Mitchell Starc is one of the top quality pace bowlers. In the previous Ashes series held in England, Starc took 18 wickets in 5 matches (9 innings) with 5 wickets in an innings 2.
Prior to this series, Mitchell took 2 hattricks in Sheffield Shield game and announced his comeback. He will play an important role for Australia to pick early wickets with the new ball. The left-handed pace bowler would be making a comeback into the Australian test team and eager to perform in front of big crowds in Australia.
James Anderson is one of the most experienced bowlers for England. With more than 500 wickets for England, Anderson has played a key role in many big victories. In the previous Ashes series in 2015, Anderson played just 3 games and took 10 wickets.
He would play an important role to take early Australian wickets and put pressure on the hosts. His ability to swing the ball and trouble the batsmen will be crucial for England chances.
- Nathan Lyon
Nathan Lyon is the only spinner for Australia in first two test matches. He took 16 wickets in the previous Ashes series in 5 matches (9 innings). Lyon did well in the test series against Bangladesh and India with good quality spin bowling. If Australia pick early wickets and a partnership is emerging, then Lyon would play a key role to break the partnership.
- Moeen Ali
Moeen Ali is one of the good all-rounders in test cricket. He has been performing well in test matches this year. He bats at the lower order for England and contributes vital runs. In the previous Ashes test series in England, Ali scored 293 runs in 5 matches (8 innings) with 2 half centuries.
With the ball, he took 12 wickets in 5 matches ( 7 innings). Ali would be playing for the first time in Australian bouncy pitches. He would play an important role for England both with bat and ball if England is to perform.