Australia’s Ashes Squad: Experience, Balance, and Subtle Vulnerabilities

There has been quite a bit of talk in the press about Australia being an ageing side heading  into the Ashes. The numbers do seem to back that up, with only one player in their  projected starting XI under the age of 30. But that, in many ways, isn’t a negative—it’s a  reflection of how seriously Australia take this contest and how much importance the Ashes  hold for both England and Australia. 

The Ashes aren’t just another Test series; they remain the most significant event in the  cricketing calendar for both nations. And because of that, it’s understandable that  Australia have chosen experience and proven performers over experimentation or youth.  Head selector George Bailey has been quite clear on this: this is Australia’s best team, and  for a contest like the Ashes, you must always field your best. While critics may focus on the  age factor, it’s difficult to argue against that logic. 

That said, compared to England, Australia do look slightly more unsettled in terms of  selection—but that’s largely down to injuries rather than inconsistency or form. The core  remains strong, but some positions may see changes depending on player fitness and  balance. 

Looking at the batting order, there are a few talking points. The opening partnership is a key  one. I would go with Jake Weatherald to open alongside Usman Khawaja. Weatherald has  been in fine touch in Sheffield Shield cricket and deserves an opportunity. He’s shown the  kind of consistency and temperament that suggest he can make the transition to Test  cricket. Khawaja, of course, brings stability and experience at the top of the order, and his  calm approach could complement Weatherald’s attacking instincts well. 

There has been some discussion about Marnus Labuschagne being pushed up to open, but  I don’t see that as the right move. He’s one of the best in the world at No. 3, and that’s  where he’s made his mark. Disturbing that setup during an Ashes series would be  unnecessary. Labuschagne remains the glue in that top order, capable of absorbing  pressure and building long innings. 

At No. 4 comes Steve Smith, the centrepiece of Australia’s batting lineup. He’s still the  player England will spend hours planning for—his technique, his patience, and his ability to  shift gears make him the heartbeat of this team. Smith’s form and presence are likely to  shape much of how Australia’s innings unfold across the series. England’s bowlers will  need to attack Smith’s stumps consistently. While there’s always the option to challenge 

him outside off, targeting the stumps more often than not remains a smart plan given his  technique. 

Travis Head, at No. 5, could be the game-changer. He has developed into one of Australia’s  most impactful players in the past couple of years. His ability to counterattack, score  quickly, and alter the tempo of a match makes him a vital part of this lineup. I’m a huge  admirer of the way he plays; he’s fearless, proactive, and capable of taking games away in  a session. Head might well play a defining role in this series. 

At No. 6, Cameron Green offers the all-round balance that modern Test teams crave. If  he’s fully fit and bowling, his inclusion strengthens both departments. His ability to bat  responsibly in the middle order while also providing a genuine seam-bowling option makes  him indispensable. However, if he isn’t fit to bowl, Australia could face a dilemma about  team balance. In that scenario, discussions about reshuffling the order or bringing in  another batter become more relevant, but ideally, Green’s dual role remains central to the  setup. 

No. 7 will likely be occupied by Alex Carey, who continues to grow into the role of Test  wicketkeeper. Reliable behind the stumps and increasingly confident with the bat, he adds  steadiness to the lower order. That said, Josh Inglis is waiting in the wings, and I wouldn’t  be surprised if he plays a part in this series. Inglis has all the tools—fluent stroke play, good  composure, and adaptability. He might not start the first Test, but he’s one to watch; I think  he’ll have an impact at some point during the series. 

The bowling attack, as always with Australia, looks formidable. Even if Pat Cummins is not  available right from the start, the depth they possess ensures there’s no major drop in  quality. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood remain the spearheads of the attack, and both  have been carefully managed in the lead-up. Their white-ball workloads have been  controlled so that they can arrive at the Ashes fresh and firing. They know these conditions  better than anyone, and their partnership—Starc’s pace and swing with Hazlewood’s  relentless accuracy—has been at the heart of Australia’s Test success for years. 

Scott Boland adds further strength and reliability. His story has been remarkable—having  waited years for an opportunity, he grabbed it with both hands and has since been a model  of consistency. His accuracy and ability to extract bounce and seam movement make him  a perfect fit for Australian pitches. Even without Cummins playing every Test, a pace trio of  Starc, Hazlewood, and Boland gives Australia both penetration and control.

Nathan Lyon, of course, rounds out the attack. His importance cannot be overstated.  Against an England side that’s likely to attack aggressively under their “Bazball” approach,  Lyon’s role becomes even more critical. He’ll have to provide control, absorb pressure,  and exploit any assistance from the surface. His ability to handle attacking batters and still  find ways to take wickets will be a key factor in determining how Australia contain  England’s momentum. Lyon has long been Australia’s steadying influence, and this series  will demand every bit of his experience. 

So, overall, the bowling largely picks itself: Starc, Hazlewood, Boland, Lyon, and Green (if  fit to bowl). It’s a combination that offers pace, variety, and proven match-winning ability. 

When you step back and look at the bigger picture, Australia start the series as slight  favourites. The reasons are obvious: they’re playing at home, they have an experienced,  settled side, and their preparation has been meticulous. They’ve managed workloads  cleverly, particularly for the fast bowlers, and their senior players know how to rise to the  occasion. 

Still, there are small vulnerabilities—mainly around the opening partnership and the  fitness of key all-rounders. Those are areas England might try to exploit. But on balance,  this remains a strong, confident, and well-prepared Australian outfit. 

The batting depth, the experience in the middle order, and the quality of the bowling attack  make them a tough side to beat. The question will be how they react if England get on the  attack early, as that will test their composure and adaptability. Someone like Lyon will  have to shoulder a big share of the responsibility if that happens. 

But all in all, everything feels beautifully set up. Australia have experience, clarity, and form  on their side. The blend of proven performers and well-managed bowlers gives them the  foundation to begin strongly. And as always, when it’s the Ashes, you can be sure they’ll be  ready for the fight.