****THE ASHES 2021-22****

[Kool_SRG]

The Ashes fixtures 2021-22

The 2021-22 Ashes Series will run from December 2021 to January 2022 and be held in Australia.
Sydney has traditionally hosted the final Test of the summer but the New Year’s Test will now be the penultimate match with Perth given the honours to host the fifth and final Test from January 14-18.

The Ashes is likely to look and sound different this Summer with uncertainty around Australia’s borders meaning a lack of English fans and the Barmy Army able to travel from the United Kingdom.

England could end up starting favourites for the Ashes, given the amount of Test cricket they’ll have played compared to Australia this year, which was forced to cancel its tour to South Africa due to coronavirus.

2021-22 Ashes Series

Fixture	Dates	Venue
First Test	Dec 8-12	Gabba, Brisbane
Second Test (D/N)	Dec 16-20	Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Third Test	Dec 26-30	MCG, Melbourne
Fourth Test	Jan 5-9	SCG, Sydney
Fifth Test	Jan 14-18	Optus Stadium, Perth

[csrcsr]

We need innings like this bayya lekapothe over rated series anipistadi ashes

[Kool_SRG]

England Ashes squad 2021-22 in full: The 17-man Test line-up for tour of Australia

Plus: Why Joe Root’s brilliance and Ollie Robinson’s promise will be key for England against an undercooked Australia.

England have selected the strongest squad available for this winter’s Ashes series in Australia.

Chris Silverwood has named a 17-man party for the five-match series that is scheduled to start in Brisbane on 8 December, following the ECB’s conditional approval for the tour to go ahead.

Despite fears that up to 10 players might decide to sit out the tour over concerns with quarantine arrangements for themselves and their families, England have managed to select the best squad they could muster, with Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood all making themselves available.

Whether the squad, which includes 10 players who have never played a Test in Australia, is strong enough to compete with the hosts during the series remains to be seen. The absence of fast bowler Jofra Archer is a major setback to England’s chances of winning an away Ashes for the first time since the winter of 2010-11, although the return of Ben Stokes is a welcome boost.

 

Sam Curran is also missing after being diagnosed with a stress fracture of the lower back. However, Stuart Broad has been picked for his fourth Ashes tour after making an encouraging return from the torn calf muscle he sustained in August on the eve of the second Test against India.  

England are light on raw pace, with Wood the only bowler capable of bowling in excess of 90mph. They have also selected two spinners, with Dom Bess in the squad alongside Jack Leach.

England’s 2021-22 Ashes squad

• Joe Root (captain)
• James Anderson
• Jonny Bairstow
• Dom Bess
• Stuart Broad
• Rory Burns
• Jos Buttler
• Zak Crawley
• Haseeb Hameed
• Dan Lawrence
• Jack Leach
• Dawid Malan
• Craig Overton
• Ollie Pope
• Ollie Robinson
• Ben Stokes
• Chris Woakes
• Mark Wood

 

Stokes back in after break

Ben Stokes had initially been left out of the tour party named earlier this month as he continued his recovery from a fractured finger and an indefinite break from cricket to look after his mental health.

However, Stokes has now made himself available for the five-Test series that starts in Brisbane on 8 December, giving a massive shot in the arm to the chances of Joe Root’s team regaining the Ashes over the coming weeks.

Stokes, who had a second operation on his fractured left index finger earlier this month, will fly out to Australia with England’s Test specialists.

An England statement confirmed: “Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes has been added to the England Men’s Test squad for the Ashes tour of Australia.

“Stokes, who has been given the all-clear by his consultant and the ECB medical team to resume training following his second operation on a fractured left index finger, will depart with the Test specialists and the Lions on 4 November.”

Stokes said: “I had a break to prioritise my mental wellbeing and I got my finger sorted.

“I am looking forward to seeing my mates and being on the field with them. I’m ready for Australia.”

Ashley Giles, England’s director of cricket, added: “Following a very successful operation on his finger and several conversations over the last few weeks between Ben and I, our medical staff and his management team, Ben called me to say he was ready to return to cricket and was excited about the prospect of playing a significant role in the Ashes series.”

Analysis: Root’s brilliance and Robinson’s promise key against undercooked Australia

It’s not England’s fault that their best available squad for this winter’s Ashes looks short on the quality needed to compete with Australia, let alone win the series.

Jofra Archer would have possibly been the key to England’s hopes, with the fast bowler’s extreme pace ideally suited to Australian conditions. His impact during the 2019 Ashes in England was spectacular and his absence will help Australia’s batsmen, particularly Steve Smith after his epic duel with Archer at Lord’s two summers ago, sleep easier.

Olly Stone is another injury absentee, leaving Mark Wood as the only bowler in England’s 17-man squad capable of consistently eclipsing 90mph.

Wood is definitely a player who could swing the series in his team’s favour, yet his injury record means he is unlikely to be able to play all five Tests, with three at best probably the limit for him in the series. More pace was needed, albeit there were few other options available to coach Chris Silverwood.

So we are left with a familiar battery of right-arm seamers, with James Anderson and Stuart Broad both the wrong side of 35, Chris Woakes averaging 49.50 in the four previous away Ashes Tests, and Craig Overton unlikely to make much of an impact if he gets a game.

Anderson and Broad deserve the utmost respect, they are indeed England’s two greatest bowlers, statistically at least. Both have had success in Australia before. Anderson was the leading wicket-taker when England last won an away Ashes series in 2010-11. Yet that was 11 years ago.

Broad was his team’s best bowler on the last two Ashes tours in 2013-14 and 2017-18. England still lost both series, 5-0 and 4-0 respectively.

Ollie Robinson, who had a fine breakthrough summer this year, is genuinely exciting. He thrived on the England Lions tour of Australia last year and has the potential to do something special this winter.

Yet England still look way short of being able to consistently take 20 Australian wickets.

The batting isn’t much better, with Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow the only players to have scored a Test century in Australia – and that was in the same match in Perth four years ago.

So much will rest on Root, who is in the form of his life this year, if England are to post the big totals that will give their bowling attack a chance to exert pressure on the Australians.

The top order of Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed and Malan did start to click against India this summer. Yet facing Australia’s pace attack in alien conditions will be an altogether tougher prospect.

You could argue England’s squad lacked boldness. Where was Liam Livingstone, a break-out international white-ball star this year who averages close to 40 with the bat in first-class cricket? Leg-spinner Matt Parkinson was also overlooked in favour of Dom Bess. Saqib Mahmood and Brydon Carse, pace bowlers who might be suited to Australian conditions, were also left out.

All four are uncapped at Test level yet they will all surely be part of the Lions squad that will join England in Australia so could still feature in the Ashes.

It is also worth remembering that Australia have only played four Tests this year, when they lost their last home series against a severely-weakened India. They will be undercooked and under pressure. England’s prospects do appear grim but the lack of external expectations on them and the pressure on their opponents means they cannot be written off completely.

 

[Kool_SRG]

 

 

Khawaja, Richardson recalled in Australia's Ashes squad

Usman Khawaja and Travis Head set to battle for one middle-order spot; allrounder Mitch Marsh misses Ashes squad but picked for Australia A

Usman Khawaja's irresistible recent form has won him a recall to Australia's 15-man squad for the start of the Ashes, and potentially into a battle with Travis Head for the vacant batting berth heading into the first two Vodafone Tests against England in Brisbane and Adelaide.

Khawaja and Head are vying for the middle-order role vacated by Matthew Wade in a squad that confirms Marcus Harris as David Warner's opening partner and leggie Mitchell Swepson as back-up spinner alongside five pace bowlers and allrounder Cameron Green.

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Australia's Ashes squad: Tim Paine (c), Pat Cummins (vc), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

Australia A players: Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Henry Hunt, Josh Inglis, Nic Maddinson, Mitchell Marsh, Matt Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Bryce Street

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The Queensland captain – the leading domestic first-class runs scorer for the current season – last played Test cricket during the 2019 Ashes series in the UK, as did T20 World Cup hero Mitchell Marsh, who was included in an 11-man Australia A squad also named today.

Tim Paine will lead the Ashes team despite not having played a game this season due to recent neck surgery, although he is expected to turn out in Premier Cricket in Hobart this weekend followed by a four-day second XI match for Tasmania against South Australia days later.

The national selection panel have also named the Australia A squad to take part in a three-day internal practice game against the Test squad in Brisbane from December 1, followed by a four-day game against England Lions from December 9.

 

The Australia A squad comprises players who are Queensland-based (Mark Steketee, Matthew Renshaw, Bryce Street) or are currently completing quarantine on the Gold Coast after returning from the T20 World Cup, such as WA trio Marsh, Josh Inglis and Ashton Agar.

However, the Australia A squad also includes in-form South Australia opener Henry Hunt and his Redbacks teammate Alex Carey, as well as auxiliary fast bowlers Sean Abbott and Scott Boland and prolific Victoria batter Nic Maddinson.

The selection panel – chair George Bailey, Tony Dodemaide and men's team coach Justin Langer – have named the squad for the first two Tests, at the Gabba from December 8-12 and a pink-ball day-night Test at Adelaide Oval from December 16-20.

"This group is well balanced to ensure we are prepared for the many challenges of an Ashes Series," Bailey said today.

"It has a mix of experienced, proven performers and emerging, developing talent.

"We will take this 15-player squad into the opening Test in Brisbane and the pink ball match in Adelaide, after which we can reassess for the remaining matches."

Khawaja and Western Australia pace bowler Jhye Richardson are the two players in line for an Ashes berth who were not part of Australia's most recent Test squad, the touring party named last January for the proposed series against South Africa that was ultimately postponed.

Missing from that 19-man squad are opener Will Pucovski (sidelined with concussion), fast bowler James Pattinson (retired from international cricket) and allrounder Moises Henriques, who has been unavailable for the start of New South Wales season due to quarantine after an IPL stint.

Abbott, Steketee and South Australia keeper Carey were also members of the expanded South Africa squad, and their selection in the Australia A group indicates they are at the top of the queue should replacements be required during the Ashes summer.

Queensland seamer Michael Neser was also in the South Africa squad, and he retains his place in the Ashes race despite suffering a hamstring injury last week with medical staff expecting he will be fit to play come the internal practice sessions.

Neser and Swepson are the only two members of the Ashes squad yet to earn a Baggy Green.

Having earlier indicated the panel's hope that Harris gets an extended opportunity to establish himself as a Test opener, Bailey confirmed the left-hander's recent UK county stint had further benefitted his game.

Bailey made the same observation on Test-capped Richardson's prioritising of red-ball cricket, which saw him claim a five-wicket haul for WA in last week's Marsh Sheffield Shield game against Queensland.

"Jhye is seeing the rewards of concentrating on his red ball cricket in the build up to this series," Bailey said.

"We know he has an exceptional skill set and are excited about what he brings to the team now his body is back on track.

"Marcus has been a consistent run scorer domestically and had a strong winter further developing his game with Leicestershire.

"He is a good player who will be looking to build a strong partnership with David Warner at the top of the order."

Bailey also mounted strong cases for the inclusion of both Head and Khawaja after Wade's Test tenure was effectively ended when he was overlooked for the South Africa squad in the wake of Australia's home series defeat to India last summer.

"Travis finished last summer strongly, second only to Cameron Green for runs scored, and has again started the season well," Bailey said.

"He drives the game forward and can put the opposition under pressure with his ability to score quickly.

"Similarly, Usman Khawaja has been in great touch.

"He brings a calm, consistent and experienced component to the batting line up and is a proven run scorer at Test level.

"He also has the ability to bat across a range of positions in the batting order."

Australia's Ashes squad: Tim Paine (c), Pat Cummins (vc), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

Australia A players: Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Henry Hunt, Josh Inglis, Nic Maddinson, Mitchell Marsh, Matt Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Bryce Street

Vodafone Men's Ashes v England

Tour Matches

Nov 23-25: England v England Lions, Brisbane

Nov 30 – Dec 3: England v England Lions, Brisbane

Dec 1-3: Australian intra-squad match, Brisbane

Dec 9-12: Australia A v England Lions, Brisbane

Tests

First Test: December 8-12, The Gabba

Second Test: December 16-20, Adelaide Oval

Third Test: December 26-30, MCG

Fourth Test: January 5-9, SCG

Fifth Test: January 14-18, Perth Stadium

[Kool_SRG]

10 minutes ago, csrcsr said:

We need innings like this bayya lekapothe over rated series anipistadi ashes

Stokes being back is big boost for England...

 

Australian squad also looks much stronger as compered when it was with India and all batters in good form in domestic cricket..

[Kool_SRG]

Tim Paine steps down as Australian Test captain ahead of Ashes series amid sexting scandal

Tim Paine has stepped down as Australian men's Test captain after revealing he was involved in a sexting scandal.

Key points:

• Tim Paine says the incident occurred in 2017
• He has apologised to his family and the Australian cricket community
• Paine will still be available for selection for the Ashes series

 

Paine said he was involved in a text exchange with a female former employee of Cricket Tasmania (CT) in late 2017.

He addressed the media in Hobart on Friday afternoon to make the announcement, reading a brief statement.

Paine said the text exchange had been previously investigated by Cricket Australia (CA) and he had been "exonerated'.

He was made aware recently the text exchange would become public and chose to step down, but he will remain a member of Australia's men's Test squad.

"It's an incredibly difficult decision, but the right one for me, my family, and cricket," Paine said.

"As a background on my decision, nearly four years ago I was involved in a text exchange with a then-colleague.

"At the time, the exchange was the subject of a thorough CA Integrity Unit investigation, throughout which I fully participated in and openly participated in.

"That investigation and a Cricket Tasmania HR investigation at the same time found that there had been no breach of the Cricket Australia code of conduct.

"I deeply regretted this incident at the time, and still do today. I spoke to my wife and family at the time and am enormously grateful for their forgiveness and support.

"We thought this incident was behind us and that I could focus entirely on the team, as I have done for the last three or four years.

"However, I recently became aware that this private text exchange was going to become public."

'Deeply for hurt and pain'

Paine said he understood he had let down his family and the Australian cricket community.

"On reflection, my actions in 2017 do not meet the standard of an Australian cricket captain, or the wider community," he said.

"I'm deeply for the hurt and pain that I have caused to my wife, my family, and to the other party.

"I'm for any damage that this does to the reputation of our sport and I believe that it is the right decision for me to stand down as captain, effective immediately.

"I do not want this to become an unwelcome disruption to the team ahead of what is a huge Ashes series."

The Ashes begin on December 8 with the first Test at Brisbane's Gabba.

Paine said it would hurt him to no longer be the skipper.

"It's been the greatest privilege of my sporting life to lead the Australian men's Test team," he said.

"I'm grateful for the support of my teammates and proud of what we've been able to achieve together.

"To them, I ask for their understanding and forgiveness. To Australian cricket fans — [I'm] deeply that my past behaviour has impacted our game on the eve of the Ashes.

"For the disappointment I have caused to fans and the entire cricket community, I apologise.

"I've been blessed with a wonderful, loving and supportive family, and it breaks my heart to know how much I've let them down.

"They have always stood by me, been my most loyal fans, and I'm indebted to them for their support."

Background to allegations

Cricket Tasmania said the allegations raised against Paine by a former employee of the organisation were only brought to its attention when formal charges of theft were laid against that employee in mid-2018.

Chair Andrew Gaggin said no complaint was raised at the time of the incident in November 2017, nor when the employee's position with the organisation was terminated.

"As soon as Cricket Tasmania was made aware, it undertook an investigation that determined the interaction was consensual, private, occurred on the one occasion only, was between mature adults and was not repeated," he said in a statement.

"Cricket Tasmania clearly does not condone this type of behaviour and addressed the matter directly with Tim Paine.

"However, because of the consensual nature of the actions it was determined that no further action was required or appropriate."

Mr Gaggin said criminal charges against the former employee were still pending and the matter was still before the courts.

Cricket Australia reacts

CA released a statement on Friday afternoon saying it accepted Paine's resignation and would "now accelerate the process of identifying and appointing a new Test captain".

"Tim felt it was in the best interests of his family and Australian cricket to take this decision to step down as captain," CA chair Richard Freudenstein said.

"The Board has accepted Tim's resignation and will now work through a process with the National Selection Panel of identifying and appointing a new captain.

"While the Board acknowledges an investigation cleared Tim of any breach of the code of conduct regarding this matter some years ago, we respect his decision.

"CA does not condone this type of language or behaviour.

"Despite the mistake he made, Tim has been an exceptional leader since his appointment and the Board thanks him for his distinguished service."

CA confirmed Paine would be available for selection in the men's Test squad for the Ashes series.

 

[Kool_SRG]

[Kool_SRG]

Time to kick Tim Paine out of the Team he doesn't deserve place in team even as a player..

[perugu_vada]

Inko white-wash for sure Eng team ki .. with that bowling attack..

[Kool_SRG]

2 minutes ago, perugu_vada said:

Inko white-wash for sure Eng team ki .. with that bowling attack..

Batting also looks more in form now India were lucky in the sense to had a out of form Australian side..

[perugu_vada]

S.Smith will be given captaincy ? P.Cummins or Alex Carey (who only plays odi’s for Aus) annaru appatlo 

[Kool_SRG]

2 minutes ago, perugu_vada said:

S.Smith will be given captaincy ? P.Cummins or Alex Carey (who only plays odi’s for Aus) annaru appatlo 

P Cummins ovvochu but don't know if he is ready to accept it if not then will go to Steve smith..

[Sarvapindi]

Wc tarvtha 3 months daaka asal em matches pettodhu

[Kool_SRG]

WHO WILL REPLACE TIM PAINE AS CAPTAIN?

Pat Cummins is current vice-captain and is favourite to take over from Paine to become the first bowler to be named Test captain since Richie Benaud in 1964. When asked about his interest in the role previously, he said: “Absolutely. At the moment I haven’t got too much experience at all, just a couple of warm-up games in England and other than that it’s Under-16s cricket when I last captained. So for sure it’s something that’s going to be more on the radar.”

 

Cummins, 28, has long been considered the next Test captain and has been endorsed by several former skippers. “Patty’s ready for it. I love that they’ve given him the full-time vice-captaincy,” Michael Clarke said last year. For me it’s the right person for the job that’s the most important, not whether you’re a batter or bowler.”

Steve Smith is another contender although also resigned in disgrace following the ball-tampering scandal in March 2018. The batter copped a 12-month suspension and was banned from captaining any side for two years. The 32-year-old’s pride was badly wounded over sandpapergate and he admitted earlier this year he’d like to captain the side again one day. “I’ve certainly had a lot of time to think about it and I guess now I’ve got to a point where if the opportunity did come up again I would be keen,” Smith said. “If it was what Cricket Australia wanted and it was what was best for the team at the time, it’s certainly something I would be interested in now, that’s for sure. “I’m always going to have to live with Cape Town regardless of whether I lead again or not. It’s always there.”

[Kool_SRG]