Ashes 2013: Team preview: Australia

Strength

The only thing that Australia could count upon in the tournament would be its pace bowling unit. James Pattinson, who was the only consolation in the India series, can produce enough movement to trouble the openers while Siddle can be a dangerous customer with both the old and new ball. Along with Harris, Faulkner and newcomer Jackson Bird, the Pattinson – Siddle duo could be more than threatening on English pitches.

Weaknesses

1. Top-order: Ed Cowan, Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja and David Warner. I will go ahead and classify them as bits-and-pieces players. Two out of these four will be batting at the pivotal third and fourth spots and this will be the biggest of all the troubles for the Aussies.

2. Slow bowlers: Nathan Lyon is obviously the best available spinner from the island continent at the moment, but on a larger scale, he is nowhere near the likes of Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar. Shane Warne might well be remembered as the last legendary spinner from Australia.

Key Players

Much of Australia’s batting will depend on Clarke and Watson

1. Shane Watson – On his day, he could be the most fearsome batsman in world cricket. One of the most complete all-rounders of today, his batting and bowling could definitely make a huge impact on the result of the tournament.

2. Michael Clarke – The Australian batting brigade is built around this man, who would also be joining hands with his former team-mate Darren Lehmann to work under different circumstances today. Not an usual thing for an Australian captain, he would be responsible for revamping the spirit into a side that has had quite a miserable season.

3. James Faulkner – A handy lower order batsman and an accurate fast bowler, he has been in ominous form in the domestic circuit for a couple of seasons. Yet to feature in the whites for his national side, he definitely has the capability to become the most celebrated player by the end of the Ashes.