Former Australia captain Greg Chappell has cautioned that the upcoming home Ashes series could expose the “aging” Australian line-up to England’s renewed express-pace threat, saying only sharp reflexes and focus of the highest order can prevent an early collapse.
As Australia braces for the first Ashes Test in Perth on November 21, former skipper Greg Chappell has raised serious concerns over the hosts’ “oldest international side in more than 90 years,” warning that England’s pace battery led by Mark Wood and Jofra Archer could “put them under the pump” if conditions offer bounce and movement.
"England have put nearly all their eggs in the pace basket, a septet of fast bowlers with whom to challenge what they believe to be a fragile batting line-up. They have prioritised the fitness of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood for this series, so I expect them both to play in Perth and in Brisbane, and then they will rotate the rest of the pace squad through the remaining Tests," said Chappell in his ESPNCricinfo column.
Khawaja faces test of time
The former batter, who also coached the Indian cricket team at one point, noted that Usman Khawaja, 38, will be the oldest opener to play a Test for Australia since 1953. His recent lean run, with no half-century in six innings, could make him an early target. England will take a huge advantage if they can make early inroads, warned Chappell, pointing out that Australia’s younger talent pipeline remains thin, according to an ANI report.
He added that without debuting a “handful of under-25 players in the next 12 months,” Cricket Australia could face a “painful regeneration problem” once veterans like Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon retire.
Perth pace test could decide the urn
Calling Perth’s Optus Stadium “a pace cauldron,” Chappell said that the first two Tests, in Perth and Brisbane’s pink-ball clash, could determine the series outcome. “The team that performs well here will take a big psychological edge,” he said.
