Ashes 2013/14: Assessing England's Squad for Tour of Australia

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England have announced a 17-man squad to tour Australia today for the winter Ashes.

There were recalls for the likes of Monty Panesar and Chris Tremlett, uncapped players such as Gary Ballance and Boyd Rankin, and notable absentees like Tim Bresnan and James Taylor, along with the names you would expect in a settled team.

Have England got it right? Are all the bases covered? 

We run down the list of players one by one to see what their records, strengths and weaknesses are as England prepare to defend the urn they have now held since 2009. 

All records are taken from ESPNCricinfo

Alastair Cook (Captain)

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Left-hand bat, opener

Age 28

 

Record:

	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	BF	SR	100	50	4s	6s	Ct	St
Tests	97	173	10	7801	294	47.85	16585	47.03	25	32	896	10	89	0

 

Ashes record: Deceptive. One unforgettable series in 2010/11, in which he scored 766 runs at an average of 127.66. That aside? 27.66 in 2006/7, 24.66 in 2009 and 27.7 in 2013.

 

Strength: Temperament and experience. Cook has seen it all before and been unflappable throughout. Will earn his 100th Test cap during the series and is likely pass 8,000 Test runs. England can rely on his ability to keep his side grounded under the scrutiny of a tour Down Under.

 

Weakness: Form. Since his memorable series in India at the end of 2012, the runs have dried up steadily for Cook. Needs to prove to himself that it is a blip rather than a return to the days where he did not know where his off stump was.

 

Likely to play? Unless he is injured. And he just doesn't get injured.

Matt Prior (Vice Captain)

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Right-hand bat, wicketkeeper

Age 31

 

Record:

	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	BF	SR	100	50	4s	6s	Ct	St
Tests	72	110	20	3813	131*	42.36	6130	62.20	7	26	456	15	207	13

 

Ashes record: His batting average of 32 against the Australians does not compare favourably to his career average of 42.

 

Strength: Team man. Prior has quietly risen to vice captain by virtue of his experience and dedication to the cause. A poor series in the 2013 Ashes doesn't make him any less crucial to England's prospects Down Under. 

 

Weakness: Form is a concern, for all that: 133 runs across five Ashes Tests this summer was a meagre return while the Australian veteran Brad Haddin's glovework stood up well against Prior's over the course of the series.

 

Likely to play? Won't be missing this one.

James Anderson

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Right-arm fast-medium bowler

Age 31

 

Record:

	Mat	Inns	Balls	Runs	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Ave	Econ	SR	4w	5w	10
Tests	87	161	19207	9907	329	7/43	11/71	30.11	3.09	58.3	18	15	2

 

Ashes record: A slow start to his Ashes career but his contributions in 2010/11 and 2013 were first class and he looks like a bowler at the peak of his powers.

 

Strength: Can make the ball talk on just about any pitch and has enviable control of swing, as well as the ability to bowl to a plan.

 

Weakness: One of the few England players with no clear weakness, be it in terms of form, injury or technique. An exceptional bowler somewhere very close to the peak of his powers.

 

Likely to play? First name on the teamsheet—after the captain's.

Jonny Bairstow

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Right-hand bat, middle order

Reserve wicketkeeper

Age 23

 

Record:

	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	BF	SR	100	50	4s	6s	Ct	St
Tests	12	20	2	544	95	30.22	1128	48.22	0	4	70	2	6	0

 

Ashes record: Not a series to boast about this summer, culminating in his axing from the No. 6 role by the final match.

 

Strength: Versatility. The fact he can keep wicket has earned him the chance to tour. Without it, it would be easy to have left him out of the squad.

 

Weakness: Technical. Australia spotted his balance issues and dismissed him by hitting the wickets on several occasions in the summer. Bairstow's talent is unquestioned, but doubts remain over his confidence and technique.

 

Likely to play? Owes his place in the squad to his versatility but no certainty to feature. Potentially up against Ballance or even Stokes for the No. 6 role.

Gary Ballance

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Left-hand bat, middle order

Age 23

 

Record: Has not played Test cricket.

 

Ashes record: Has not played Test cricket.

 

Strength: Formidable county record. His first-class average is 52 and his progress has not gone unnoticed by the selectors.

 

Weakness: Could he be dropped straight into an Ashes decider if required? His international career is one ODI and two deliveries old.

 

Likely to play? No—but even being in the squad represents an achievement. James Taylor, selected as cover for Kevin Pietersen during the Ashes 2013, does not make the squad, which suggests Ballance is on the rise.

Ian Bell

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Right-hand bat, middle order

Age 31

 

Record:

	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	BF	SR	100	50	4s	6s	Ct	St
Tests	93	160	21	6487	235	46.66	13111	49.47	20	37	766	25	74	0

 

Ashes record: Greatly enhanced by a man-of-the-series performance this summer, featuring three centuries.

 

Strength: Form. Bell's elegance and style was matched by grit in 2013. At the age of 31, and with eight years of Test cricket under his belt, he finally looks ready to lead a batting line-up.

 

Weakness: Troughs. When Bell's form deserts him, it does so more abruptly and more painfully than it does for many of his colleagues. His Ashes triumph came after a run during the winter in which his place was under threat.

 

Likely to play? Certain.

Stuart Broad

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Right-arm fast-medium bowler

Age 27

 

Record:

	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	BF	SR	100	50	4s	6s	Ct	St
Tests	62	85	10	1855	169	24.73	2949	62.90	1	10	238	15	18	0

 

	Mat	Inns	Balls	Runs	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Ave	Econ	SR	4w	5w	10
Tests	62	112	12925	6637	217	7/44	11/121	30.58	3.08	59.5	8	10	2

 

Ashes record: Patchy would be the kindest description. Apart from devastating spells at the Oval in 2009 and Durham in 2013, there is little of note on Broad's record from three series against Australia.

 

Strength: When it all goes right, Broad can be unplayable. The bowler can marry pace to a full length and late movement like few other bowlers in the world.

 

Weakness: Doesn't go right as often as it should and can occasionally be anonymous.

 

Likely to play? Only injury would deny him a starting berth.

Michael Carberry

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Left-hand bat, opener

Age 32

 

Record:

	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	BF	SR	100	50	4s	6s	Ct	St
Tests	1	2	0	64	34	32.00	140	45.71	0	0	9	0	1	0

 

Ashes record: Has yet to play.

 

Strength: Has piled on runs in county cricket and has been around the block in the domestic game.

 

Weakness: Has not yet convinced in any format of the game for his country, though his opportunities have been very limited.

 

Likely to play? Cover for Root and Cook, and unlikely to feature.

Steven Finn

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Right-arm fast bowler

Age 24

 

Record:

	Mat	Inns	Balls	Runs	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Ave	Econ	SR	4w	5w	10
Tests	23	43	4348	2646	90	6/125	9/187	29.40	3.65	48.3	5	4	0

 

Ashes record: Started two series now and has been dropped by the end of both. For all that, his wicket haul is not poor.

 

Strength: Pace and bounce—if Finn gets it right, he could be the most dangerous bowler in England's armoury in Australia.

 

Weakness: Form. To the outsider looking in, it looks as if captain Cook does not fully trust him to bowl accurately and to a plan. Finn, who has had his action and run-up remodelled in recent months, can lose his rhythm easily.

 

Likely to play? Will have to impress in the warm-ups to get back into the reckoning.

Monty Panesar

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Left-arm spinner

Age 31

 

Record:

Mat	Inns	Balls	Runs	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Ave	Econ	SR	4w	5w	10
Tests	48	81	12050	5540	164	6/37	11/210	33.78	2.75	73.4	4	12	2

 

Ashes record: 11 wickets at 44.9 don't point to a hugely successful record against the Baggy Greens.

 

Strength: Simon Kerrigan's disastrous debut at the Oval this summer proved that Panesar is still England's second-best spinner—and his left-arm spin is a good foil for Swann's off-breaks.

 

Weakness: Personal issues. Many would consider Panesar somewhat fortunate to have earned a recall to the national team at a time when his personal life has attracted more attention than his cricket.

 

Likely to play? Only in the event of an injury to Swann—Australia are unlikely to prepare a pitch which encourages a side to play two spinners.

Kevin Pietersen

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Right-hand bat, middle order

Age 33

 

Record:

Batting and fielding averages

	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	BF	SR	100	50	4s	6s	Ct	St
Tests	99	171	8	7887	227	48.38	12664	62.27	23	33	960	76	59	0

 

Ashes record: Impressive. Features iconic innings, such as 158 at the Oval in 2005 and 227 in Adelaide in 2010. The average is a whisker below 50 and he has scored 1864 runs in total against the Australians.

 

Strength: Capable of magic. It may sound trite or an oversimplification, but KP produces knocks that his teammates are not capable of playing. Even if he fires just once or twice in the series, it will be invaluable.

 

Weakness: Injury. The knee problem that ruled him out in early 2013 is only being managed, rather than fixed. England will hope there is no deterioration, but a five-Test series will be demanding.

 

Likely to play? If fit, he'll be there.

Boyd Rankin

Michael Steele/Getty Images

Right-arm fast bowler

Age 29

 

Record: Has not played Test cricket.

 

Ashes record: Has not played Test cricket.

 

Strength: On great form. His height and bounce troubled the Australians when he made his first appearance at ODI level, and that momentum has earned him a spot in the squad.

 

Weakness: Untested at Test level and competing against direct rivals with similar qualities in the form of Finn and Tremlett.

 

Likely to play? Has a chance but will need to dazzle in the warm-up matches.

Joe Root

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Right-hand bat, opener

Age 22

 

Record:

	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	BF	SR	100	50	4s	6s	Ct	St
Tests	11	21	2	763	180	40.15	1829	41.71	2	3	80	3	6	0

 

Ashes record: One match-winning 180 but an otherwise lean summer for Root. Far too much promise for England to worry about moving him around the order.

 

Strength: Temperament. Has looked unfazed by stepping up to international level so far. His bowling has been a useful find as well.

 

Weakness: Is he in the right position? So far Root has looked more natural in the middle order than opening the batting.

 

Likely to play? Almost certain.

Ben Stokes

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Left-arm batsman

Right-arm bowler

Age 22

 

Record: Has not played Test cricket yet.

 

Ashes record: Has not played Test cricket yet.

 

Strength: A powerful all-rounder. Bowls quick and is a better batsmen, at least so far in domestic cricket. England have seen enough about him to pick him ahead of Chris Woakes, who played the fifth Ashes Test this summer.

 

Weakness: Inexperience for one. Discipline is a question mark—he was sent home from a Lions tour of Australia last winter over late-night drinking.

 

Likely to play? Has a chance, boosted by the absence of all-rounder Tim Bresnan from the touring party.

Graeme Swann

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Right-arm off-spinner

Age 34

 

Record:

	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	BF	SR	100	50	4s	6s	Ct	St
Tests	57	70	13	1334	85	23.40	1734	76.93	0	5	176	19	50	0

 

	Mat	Inns	Balls	Runs	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Ave	Econ	SR	4w	5w	10
Tests	57	103	14497	7082	248	6/65	10/132	28.55	2.93	58.4	14	17	3

 

Ashes record: Never lost a series to Australia and has 55 wickets against them, albeit at a slightly worse average than his career record. 

 

Strength: Experience. Relished pitches helpful to his bowling this summer but has worked effectively on unhelpful wickets in numerous instances in his Test career.

 

Weakness: Australian attack. The Baggy Greens have become increasingly more attacking against spin, as James Tredwell discovered in the ODI series. It will be a battle for Swann to keep Australia's batsmen under control.

 

Likely to play? Certain.

Chris Tremlett

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Right-arm bowler

Age 32

 

Record:

Mat	Inns	Balls	Runs	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Ave	Econ	SR	4w	5w	10
Tests	11	21	2686	1311	49	6/48	8/150	26.75	2.92	54.8	2	2	0

 

Ashes record: Strong. Parachuted into the 2010/11 series and Australia found his pace and bounce near-impossible to handle, taking 17 wickets in three Tests at 23.35.

 

Strength: Height and record. Ideally built to bowl in Australia, with a proven track record of wicket-taking.

 

Weakness: Fitness. Has spent a lot of the last 18 months on the treatment table and though he was recalled for the final Test squad in the 2013 Ashes, he was overlooked.

 

Likely to play? Possibility. Potentially vying with Finn and Rankin for one place.

Jonathan Trott

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Right-hand bat, No. 3

Age 32

 

Record: 

	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	BF	SR	100	50	4s	6s	Ct	St
Tests	48	85	6	3744	226	47.39	7911	47.32	9	18	441	0	29	0

 

Ashes record: Won the Ashes with a century on debut at The Oval in 2009, imperious in 2010/11, disappointing in 2013—but still on the winning side.

 

Strength: Piled on the runs in the 2010/11 series Down Under, scoring 445 in a series that was in its own, understated fashion almost as impressive as Cook's famous efforts.

 

Weakness: Has looked uncomfortable against Australian quicks all summer long, particularly the short ball. Pitches are expected to play faster in Australia than they did this summer.

 

Likely to play? Nailed-on starter, barring injury.