Ashes 2023: Australia likely to wait until toss to name XI for opening Test at Edgbaston

Cricket Australia. (Photo Source: Twitter)

With the first Test of the Ashes 2023 right around the corner, both Australia and England will be keen on staying at the top of their games as they gear up their preparations for the series. With the first Test being held at Edgbaston, Birmingham, there have been discussions over the possible pacer combination that the Aussies could opt for in the clash.

However, it is likely that skipper Pat Cummins will not reveal Australia’s lineup for the Edgbaston Test until the toss of the match. With many world-class bowlers in their lineup, it could prove to be a grueling task for Australia to pick the best possible lineup for the series. With names like Scott Boland, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood, Australia boasts one of the best pace attacks in the world.

Considering that Australia haven’t won the Ashes in England since 2001, the side would be pondering over every possible lineup and combination. Recently, skipper Pat Cummins opined that they should weigh every possible outcome and would trust a bit of gut feeling too before naming the squad.

“You weigh up everything, you hope, and when you’ve got such quality assets to throw at it, I don’t think there is a wrong answer. You judge on what you value more. Whether it’s data from past series or how someone’s injury’s tracking, how they’ve been going lately, the make-up of the attack, and we always use a bit of gut feel,” Pat Cummins said in a press conference ahead of the first Test as quoted by cricket.com.au.

Scott Boland could be integral for Australia in the Ashes

It could be quite a conundrum for Australia to pick the best possible bowling attack for the series. While Josh Hazlewood’s return from injury is an added boost, the inclusion of Scott Boland could be integral as well.

It is worth noting that Boland was sensational for Australia when they took on India in the World Test Championship final (WTC) 2023. Taking five wickets across the two innings, Boland makes a strong case for his selection in the playing XI for the first Test as well.