Ashes 2017/18: Top 5 English players

The Ashes is one of the oldest surviving bilateral series in the history of cricket. It began in 1882 when England lost to Australia at The Oval. The Sporting Times declared it the death of English cricket in a mock obituary, stating that "the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia". In its next tour Down Under, England promised to bring the "Ashes" home.

The English team, minus Moeen Ali and Steven Finn, started its 2017/18 tour with a two-day campaign against Western Australia XI at Perth.

England is the current holder of the trophy, winning it at home in 2015. It has also been the dominant side since 2005, winning five of the last seven series.

This year's tour is going to be interesting because the last time England toured Australia, it was routed 5-0. Australia is always tough at home, and England will need highly-spirited acts from all its players to retain the trophy.

Let's take a look at the top five English players whose performances will be crucial to the team's progress.

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#5 Chris Woakes

Woakes earned his place in the Ashes after a good summer for Warwickshire

With the absence of Ben Stokes, England will need this all-rounder to support the opening pair of Stuart Broad and James Anderson. Woakes's performance will be key to England's chances.

Though he hasn't had much success in away Tests, his recent performance in the domestic season guaranteed him a place in the XI. His contribution with the bat has been significant, and he has had some decent knocks in his short Test career.

#4 Jonny Bairstow

The wicketkeeper-batsman has been doing wonders with the bat in recent times

Bairstow has become the first-choice wicketkeeper for England. He has had a good run with both bat and gloves, notching 1,470 runs and 70 dismissals in 2016 - the most by a wicketkeeper in a calendar year. Averaging just under 40, he is a mainstay of England's middle order.

He has the ability to accelerate the innings when required, and his form in the Ashes will be crucial to England's batting scoreline.

#3 Moeen Ali

Ali out-performed his teammates against South Africa this year

Moeen Ali will lead the spin bowling attack in the Ashes as the most seasoned all-rounder on the English side.

He has reaped rewards for all his hard work as Graeme Swann's replacement. Brought in mainly as a batsman, Ali has evolved as an off-spinner over the years and also developed the doosra with Saeed Ajmal.

He won the Man of the Series award against South Africa this summer for his all-round performance - one that included 25 wickets with two 5-fers and 252 runs with two 50s.

He is recovering from an injury but should be fit for the first Test at Brisbane. He will be pivotal to England's charge.

#2 James Anderson

Anderson recently notched 500 wickets in Test cricket

James Anderson will once again lead the charge with the ball, bringing in his experience in 129 Tests. His ability to swing the ball both ways will create problems for the Aussie top order. He claimed four wickets in the first match against WA XI.

Anderson, along with Stuart Broad, will be key to England's breakthroughs. If he plays up to his full potential, he can run through the opposition single-handedly.

#1 Joe Root

Root has been the most consistent batsman for England in recent times

The skipper shoulders two important burdens - regaining the Ashes and leading the batting charge. The world No. 2 Test batsman will lead England for the first time in an Ashes series, but it is his performance with the bat that will determine the outcome of the tournament.

He was the Man of the Series, scoring 460 runs and grabbing four wickets, in the last Ashes that was played in 2015.

His record in Australia is poor, averaging just 27 in four Tests, while his overall Test average is over 53. He will have to be consistent in this series and hold together the batting order alongside Cook.