(Cricket News) Australia will be on cloud 9 after a dominating victory over India in the 2023 World Test Championship final. However, now they will shift their focus to the all-important Ashes series. Australia haven’t won an away Ashes since 2001 so they will have to bring their A game. England have vowed to continue with their ‘Bazball’ approach which will challenge the Aussies. Australia has a tough call to make in the fast bowling and opening department but other than that the rest of the team pretty much picks itself. Australia have already proved that they have the ability to play well in English conditions and they will have to just apply themselves.

Australia’s ideal playing XI:

Openers: Usman Khawaja & David Warner

There is a lot of doubt over David Warner’s selection but sticking with him may be very beneficial. Even though Warner didn’t make a big score in the WTC final, he played decently. One big reason to keep him in the team is that there isn’t a player who is really knocking on the door. Khawaja has been Australia’s most consistent batter in recent times and even though he couldn’t make an impact against India, the southpaw will be very crucial in the Ashes.

Middle order: Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith & Travis Head

The Aussie middle order was the main reason why they won the World Test Championship comfortably. Now at the Ashes, the same will be expected from them. Steve Smith had an incredible series in 2019 and he will be looking to emulate the same. Marnus Labuschagne burst onto the scene in the last Ashes and he will be keen to further assert his dominance as a Test player. Travis Head is coming into the game on the back of a player-of-the-match performance in the WTC final. He will play his attacking game and take on the bowlers which makes him very important.

All-rounder: Cameron Green

Cameron Green is possibly Australia’s most important player due to his ability with both bat and ball. Depending on the conditions he can prove to be a batting all-rounder or a bowling all-rounder. Despite being labelled the future and star boy of Australia, Green has never had a breakthrough series in Test cricket. He has always shown glimpses of his talent but is yet to dominate a full series. This is possibly the biggest test for him as a good performance in England will boost his career to another level.

Wicketkeeper: Alex Carey

Carey’s contribution with the bat and with the gloves in the World Test Championship final was very crucial. He has done a wonderful job since taking over from Tim Paine. Coming up against the English bowlers would be a challenge but Carey is more than capable of taking them on.

Seamers: Pat Cummins, Josh Hazelwood & Scott Bolland

Skipper Pat Cummins is pretty straightforward and his importance to the team is self-explanatory. Cummins has had an excellent start to his captaincy career but now is his biggest Test. The choice of who to leave out now becomes a difficult one for obvious reasons. Bolland was Australia’s best bowler in the WTC final and after a performance like that it will be difficult to leave him out. Hazelwood is likely to edge Starc in the first Test at least because of his accuracy. Even though Starc has a pretty visible impact, he has the tendency to leak runs especially if things aren’t going well.

Spinner: Nathan Lyon

No matter the conditions, Lyon always finds a way to deliver for Australia. He is invaluable for Australia because of his versatility and ability to play multiple roles. He can be the attacking bowler towards the back end while he is just as good at holding an end when there is not much turn available.

Bench: Marcus Harris, Josh Inglis, Mitch Marsh, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Starc

Also read: England announce playing XI for the 1st Ashes Test