Australia has announced their 17-man squad for the upcoming World Test Championship Final and the first two Ashes tests. Australia’s Squad for the WTC final and Ashes is full of surprises and shocks but has a balanced team overall. After the loss to India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy, Australia would be looking to clinch their first WTC title in the Oval.
The Reliable Batters
Australia’s squad for the WTC and Ashes includes a solid and experienced batting line-up which can be dangerous to any bowling side. With David Warner and Usman Khawaja, Australia then has the likes of Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, and Josh Inglis. Warner and Smith at the top, Australia would be confident to post or chase down any massive total. Steve Smith, one of the most experienced and consistent batters Australia ever produced at number 3, will be an enormous threat to any bowling unit. The number 1 test batter, Marnus Labushange, is there too, which is a big bonus to the Aussies. He can lead his team to victory, making him a hero for the opponent.
Read More: Domestic Cricket Structure: A Complete Analysis of domestic systems of Test Playing Nations.
Marsh, who will make his test comeback for the first time after the 2019 ashes, has only played one first-class game since his injury. Alex Carey provides reliability with the bat, a massive bonus to the Aussie squad. The skilful opener, M. Harris, offers valuable support for Usman Khawaja and David Warner. Josh Inglis is also a young and talented batter who will strengthen Australia’s bench even more.
The Balance Factor: All-Rounders
Australia’s squad for the WTC final and Ashes includes one of Australia’s finest all-rounders, which adds a balance factor to the team. Cameron Green has already shown what to do with a bat and ball. Mitchell Marsh is inconsistent with his performances but is a force to reckon with both in the bat and the ball.
A Threatening Bowling Line-Up
Australia’s test bowling line-up is considered one of the most threatening and robust in the world. Australia’s squad for the WTC final and Ashes include the likes of Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathon Lyon, and Josh Hazelwood. Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh could also make an impact with the ball. The return of Pat Cummins is a fortune for Australia, making they’re fast-bowling force to be reckoned with. Nathan Lyon is among the most consistent spinners in taking wickets on any track.
You might be interested in: MS Dhoni: The Legend of the Legends.
The pace of Mitchell Starc can be threatening, while the variations and swing of Hazelwood could sometimes be impossible to play, which is why no batting attack should take this bowling line-up easy. Boland is there too, a young fast bowler who had a dream start in test cricket. He can swing the ball both ways, increasing the batters’ worry, while Todd Murphy is there to assist Nathan Lyon in the spin-bowling department.
The Final Verdict: Why Australia Have the Edge Over Their Rivals
Australia’s squad for the WTC final and Ashes is nothing less than a force to be reckoned with. Australia’s balance in every game department is unbelievable, with players who can play in any condition and situation. This allows Australia to get an edge over their opponents, and they would certainly like to win the WTC final and the Ashes. They have the squad and the ability to win any test match against any opponent and would be the favourites in the upcoming test matches.
Australia plays India in the World Test Championship final at the Oval from June 7-11 before moving to the first Ashes Test against England at Edgbaston from June 16-20.
Squad: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vice-captain), Mitchell Starc, David Warner
