England head into the Ashes facing what can only be described as a mammoth task, although there is a sense that this might just be their best opportunity in quite some time. The primary reason for that optimism lies in the work that has gone into their bowling line up over the past year. For the best part of a year, England have been planning and fine tuning their attack, and for once, it appears that everything might be coming together at just the right time. With Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, and Gus Atkinson all fit and firing, the team finally looks to have the pace and firepower it has long sought. If all goes well and injuries stay at bay, England’s pace arsenal could well be their trump card.
There is also Josh Tongue, who has impressed recently, giving England yet another viable option with the ball. It means that England are heading into the series with a number of fast-bowling options, and that depth could prove crucial. With the new ball, in particular, England’s approach is likely to define how the series begins. If the decision were up to me, I would go with Archer, Wood, and Atkinson as the frontline pace trio, and, assuming Ben Stokes is fully fit to bowl — which seems to be the case — he would serve as the fourth seamer. That combination, along with Shoaib Bashir as the spinner, forms a balanced and potent attack.
There has been some chatter about whether Bashir was the right choice as the lead spinner, considering that England also have Liam Dawson, and Rehan Ahmed in contention, as well as the experienced Jack Leach. But in truth, investing in Bashir seems the right call. The management has shown faith in him and backed him for some time now, and while it remains to be seen if this particular series will be the one where he truly comes good, there is enough belief that he will justify that investment sooner rather than later. For that reason alone, Bashir should start the series. So that would be my bowling line-up — Archer, Wood, Atkinson, Stokes, and Bashir.
Not to forget, there is Will Jacks as well in the squad and his role in the series could expand significantly if England anticipate conditions that won’t favour traditional spin. As a gifted all-round option, he provides both batting depth and a flexible spin-bowling alternative.
As for the batting, it more or less picks itself, with the exception of one position that remains a point of discussion — number three. The question there is whether England stick with Ollie Pope or hand an opportunity to Jacob Bethel. For me, it would be Bethel, but for the team management, it is likely to remain Pope. They have shown loyalty to Pope, and
despite his recent removal as vice-captain, that decision should not be seen as a reflection of his batting ability. Rather, it appears to be more about team balance and leadership distribution. Harry Brook, for instance, has emerged as a strong voice in the dressing room, and his presence has perhaps reshaped some of those leadership roles.
Still, it feels clear that Pope will retain the number three position, although I personally believe that Bethel represents the future. Technically, Bethel looks more solid than Pope at the moment, and he gives the impression of being someone who could make that position his own in due course. His technique and temperament stand out, and even if England decide not to play him immediately, his time will certainly come.
At the top of the order, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett look settled and will continue their partnership. Joe Root remains, as ever, the key figure in England’s batting order — much like Steve Smith for Australia. His role will be central to England’s success, given his experience and ability to adapt to different conditions.
Harry Brook, too, will be one to watch closely. The way he plays — with aggression and intent — will make for an enthralling contest against Australia’s bowling attack. Neither side will take a backward step in that battle. Brook will go hard, and the Australian bowlers will respond in kind, making for one of the more fascinating individual duels of the series. Brook will likely face a sustained short-ball test from the Australian quicks, and watching how he adjusts his game to that challenge could be one of the most intriguing subplots of the series.
Then there’s Ben Stokes, whose presence at number six is pivotal not just for his batting but also for his bowling. His fitness will have a huge bearing on how balanced England’s side looks. If he is able to play as the fourth seamer, that allows England the flexibility they need — much like how Cameron Green provides balance for Australia. There is a certain symmetry there, as both sides rely on their all-rounders to maintain structural balance in their line-ups. If Green remains fit and able to bowl, it adds another layer of depth to Australia’s attack, just as Stokes’s fitness does for England.
Overall, England appear to be in a reasonably settled place. The side looks balanced, the players understand their roles, and there is a sense of quiet confidence within the camp. The main area of concern, however, lies in their preparation. There has been very little in the way of proper red-ball build-up ahead of the Ashes. Some of the players have been in
New Zealand, and a few have been involved in white-ball series, but none of this has really served as deliberate Ashes preparation. Those matches were more a consequence of the international calendar rather than strategic planning for the series.
That lack of preparation is something that could show in the early part of the series, particularly in the first game. There’s also the question of how England’s “Bazball” approach will evolve. It is now a more refined version of what was seen in its early days. It’s no longer the reckless, all-out version that surprised teams two years ago, but it will still be put to a stern test by Australia. Even with Pat Cummins expected to miss the first match, the Australian attack remains formidable and will undoubtedly challenge England’s methods.
The side I would pick to start the series would be: Crawley, Duckett, Bethel, Root, Brook, Stokes, Smith, Atkinson, Bashir, Wood, and Archer. Brydon Carse is another player who will likely have a role to play as the series progresses. England are very keen on him — and for good reason. He’s a wholehearted cricketer who gives everything, runs in hard, and contributes useful runs down the order. It wouldn’t be surprising if England decided to start with him instead of Wood in the first Test, especially given the workload management considerations that come with a long series. But for me, the combination of Archer, Wood, Bashir, and Atkinson would be the ideal starting attack.
Carse will, however, remain an important figure throughout the series, especially given its intensity. A five-match Ashes series is gruelling, and the side that starts it rarely ends with the same eleven. That makes squad depth crucial, and England seem to have covered that aspect well. Beyond the main squad, the presence of an A-team playing a parallel series is
a smart move. It allows players to stay in rhythm and gives the management the option of calling up in-form replacements as the series progresses.
All in all, England’s plans look solid, their resources are strong, and their intent is clear. The only lingering question is whether their limited preparation will come back to haunt them once the first ball of the Ashes is bowled.
