3 minute read

The absence of Ben Stokes looms as one of several concerns in England's 17-man Ashes squad that has been described as 'very predictable' and 'uninspiring'.

The ongoing void left by Ben Stokes, concerns about spin and express-pace options, and a batting order with limited experience in Australia headline England's various Ashes selection headaches.

England have named their strongest possible 17-man squad for the five-Test series.

There were fears that Jos Buttler, installed as vice-captain in the absence of gun allrounder Stokes, would opt out but he and every other fit player made themselves available.

But Stokes is sidelined because of a broken finger and mental health reasons, while Jofra Archer (elbow) and Olly Stone (back) were also absent from the touring party.

Stokes boasts the ability to change the course of a Test with either bat or ball, as he demonstrated in unforgettable fashion at Headingley in 2019.

But the 30-year-old also makes it immeasurably easier for England to pick an XI, with former captains Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton and Michael Vaughan all highlighting his absence as an obvious blow to England's bid to reclaim the urn.

"It gives England a massive selection headache," Hussain wrote in his Daily Mail column.

"It will be a nightmare trying to balance the side and I envisage England going into matches with an all-seam attack backed up by (Joe) Root's offspin.

"England have picked a very predictable Ashes squad, avoiding selecting any uncapped players and refusing to take any kind of risk."

Hussain and Vaughan questioned why Liam Livingstone, described by the former as an "in-your-face, confident cricketer in the mould of Kevin Pietersen and Ben Stokes" was overlooked.

Hussain also lamented the snubbing of fast bowler Saqib Mahmood and legspinner Matt Parkinson.

The recent retirement of allrounder Moeen Ali leaves finger spinners Bess and Jack Leach, who both haven't played for England since touring India in March, as England's only tweakers this summer.

Veteran pacemen Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad will return, bringing with them some 1156 Test wickets worth of experience but also memories of helping win the corresponding series in 2010-11.

But the importance of injury-prone beanpole Mark Wood, who is capable of hitting the 150 km/h mark but yet to play a Test in Australia, has been amplified by the fact England won't be able to call on fellow express pacemen Archer and Stone.

Atherton admitted England's squad was "uninspiring" but also highlighted Australia's own selection concerns and lack of recent Test cricket.

"It is not the strongest squad England have taken to Australia -- nor is it the weakest," Atherton wrote in The Times.

"Quite what degree of readiness Australia's players will be in is anyone's guess."

Captain Joe Root, who has celebrated six Test tons in 2021 to already equalled the English record for most Test centuries in a calendar year, will once again be the key wicket for Australia.

But Root, Jonny Bairstow and Dawid Malan are notably the only batsmen in England's squad to have played a Test in Australia.