One of the biggest cricketing rivalries between Australia and England popularly coined as “The Ashes” is all set to start from tomorrow 8th December 2021 at Brisbane. Australia is certainly the favorite to win this series against Three Lions as they are defending champions too and it is not easy to beat Australia in Australia and they have made their intentions quite clear with new leader Pat Cummins by announcing their X1 member squad 2 days prior.
When it comes to England they have also announced their 12 member squad ahead of 1st Test where they have excluded James Anderson which is a big blow for Three lions due to calf strain which he pulled out in a practice session. It will be disappointing for fans who were eagerly waiting for the Smith-Anderson contest.
Broad, Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson, and Mark Wood are part of 12 member squad as fast bowlers along with all-rounder Ben Stokes and spinner Jack Leach.
Haseeb Hameed and Rory Burns are set to open the batting, with Dawid Malan, skipper Joe Root, Stokes, and Ollie Pope in the top six. Jos Buttler has been confirmed as a wicketkeeper, leaving most of the questions over the balance of the bowling attack.
“Whichever XI we take the field with, we’ll be very confident,” Buttler told a news conference Tuesday.
The Test at Gabba will be extremely special for England not for Australia anymore who lost against India recently at this pitch after a period of 33 years but if Three Lions will be able to manage what India did at Gabba then they can also become the first team to beat Kangaroos at Gabba post-1986.
England 12-man squad for first Ashes Test in Brisbane on Wednesday: Joe Root (c), Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Haseeb Hameed, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
