|| Desk Report ||

Australian legendary spinner Shane Warne has picked up his best eleven for the first Test in Ashes 2019, slated to begin from August 1.  

Warne has selected World Cup winners Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer and Mark Wood in his England squad. Kent’s promising star Zak Crawley is also included along with Surrey's wicketkeeper-batsman Ben Foakes and experienced fast bowlers Stuart Broad and James Anderson. Chris Woakes, Sam Curran and Adil Rashid are notable absentees in Warne's squad.

Australia’s World Cup squad in David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc are included in Warne’s Ashes team. Batsmen Marcus Harris, Travis Head and Matthew Wade are also present in an XI captained by Tim Paine. Bowlers James Pattinson and Josh Hazlewood also feature in the Australian squad.

Ashes is a matter of pride and prestige for these two veteran cricketing nation. To some players winning the Ashes is of more important than winning the World Cup. This time the Ashes will be played in England and Joe Root's side will be looking to bounce back from their 4-0 defeat in the last Ashes series. They will be confident as they have won the World Cup and beaten Australia in the semifinal. 

 

Warne's England squad: Jason Roy, Zak Crawley, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root(C), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Ben Foakes, Stuart Broad and James Anderson.

Warne's Australia squad: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Matthew Wade, Tim Paine(C), James Pattinson and Josh Hazlewood