The Ashes 2021/22

[wasteyouryouth]

England have named the strongest available squad for their attempt to regain the Ashes this winter.

Men's Ashes schedule​

First Test: 8-12 December - Gabba, Brisbane (00:00 GMT)

Second Test: 16-20 December - Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (d/n - 04:00 GMT)

Third Test: 26-30 December - MCG, Melbourne (23:30 GMT, 25 December)

Fourth Test: 5-9 January - SCG, Sydney (23:30 GMT, 4 January)

Fifth Test: 14-18 January - Optus Stadium, Perth (02:30 GMT)

Women's Ashes schedule​

Test: 27-30 January - Manuka Oval, Canberra (23:00 GMT, 26 January)

First T20: 4 February - North Sydney Oval, Sydney (08:10 GMT)

Second T20: 6 February - North Sydney Oval, Sydney (08:10 GMT)

Third T20: 10 February - Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (08:10 GMT)

First ODl: 13 February - Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (23:05 GMT, 12 February)

Second ODl: 16 February - Junction Oval, Melbourne (23:05 GMT, 15 February)

Third ODI: 19 February - Junction Oval, Melbourne (23:05 GMT, 18 February)

 

[blockerdave]

can't see past a 5-0 drubbing here

 

[Dutch]

It's the strongest squad we could send at the moment but it's not strong competively one feels. I am just glad Jimmy is going to get another go Down Under. Really looking forward to this. Will be a lot of no sleep nights coming up!

 

[blockerdave]

It's the strongest squad we could send at the moment but it's not strong competively one feels. I am just glad Jimmy is going to get another go Down Under. Really looking forward to this. Will be a lot of no sleep nights coming up!

yep, there's no one i can think of available who would improve it, which is something of an indictment.

with stokes, jofra and stone i'd think we had a punchers chance, but without i think we'll really struggle. very interested to see how Robinson goes - you'd think he's a similar bowler to Stuart Clark / Glenn McGrath so hopefully the lack of pace won't hurt him.

 

[Dutch]

Havent been keeping an eye on the Aussie for a while. How are they shaping up? Any chinks in the armour there to hope for?

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

Havent been keeping an eye on the Aussie for a while. How are they shaping up? Any chinks in the armour there to hope for?

Australia have not played a Test ever since the India series. Quite a long time that!

 

[CerealKiller]

Without Stokes and Archer, I predict 5-0.

 

[Crassus]

5-0 unfortunately we're saved by some weather at some point. Was hoping we'd pull out to avoid an embarrassing drubbing or at least send a B squad so at least we could say afterwards it was down to that.

Frustrating thing is that Australia have a lot of issues and holes in their squad too but will be too much for this England side.

 

[Velocity]

Calling this squad the best team England could send at the moment doesn't make sense, barring injuries there isn't anyone else who would make this team better. The players with injuries currently were never fit or ready to be in Ashes contention.

Looks like there'll be a lot of dependence on Mark Wood with his pace on those fast bouncy tracks. Would've been better to have a wildcard pick with Mahmood/Carse or someone who could clock 140+ consistently. Other than that, it's literally the same English bowling attack from 2017/18 Down Under with Wood and Robinson. Looks like Smithy's about to have another field day with the bat.

 

[wasteyouryouth]

For the record I didn't call this the strongest squad. I just copied the first line from the Cricinfo article. Mainly to troll @Aislabie when he sees no Foakes and tries to come up with an XI that doesn't include Buttler.

 

[Aislabie]

For the record I didn't call this the strongest squad. I just copied the first line from the Cricinfo article. Mainly to troll @Aislabie when he sees no Foakes and tries to come up with an XI that doesn't include Buttler.

It really hurts. His numbers are Ramprakashian and his wicket-keeping doesn't bail him out

 

[wasteyouryouth]

It really hurts. His numbers are Ramprakashian and his wicket-keeping doesn't bail him out

View attachment 256000

View attachment 256001

He's one century and one run (average) better off than Temba Bavuma.

 

[Aislabie]

He's one century and one run (average) better off than Temba Bavuma.

Now there's a name I'd not thought about for a while

 

[Ed Smith]

We gon get got

 

[Aislabie]

We gon get got

I'm curious who'd be in your full-strength, full-fitness side (for the hypothetical, Moeen is available)

Rory Burns
Rob Yates (bats quite like Marcus North)
Sam Hain
Joe Root
Dawid Malan
Ben Stokes
Ben Foakes
Ollie Robinson
Jack Leach
Jofra Archer
Jimmy Anderson

Dom Sibley
Ollie Pope
Jonny Bairstow
Chris Woakes
Stuart Broad
Mark Wood
Matt Parkinson

Couple of debutants in the batting slots because I'm not 100% who to bat in the top three. Could just as easily be Lyth and Vince or similar

I also quite like the thought of experimenting with opener Stokes