We'll start by analysing the home side's top order:
Chris Rogers is a pretty sure bet, his experience and temperament was proved in the fourth Ashes test in England.
He'll be in my side as I'm very confident he can deliver again for Australia.
David Warner is a real tough one, do you risk the ducks in lieu of centuries or search for someone more consistent? His form is second to none, because there's no other batsman in the country who has a handful of tons in the last month. Of course, he hasn't bowlers of the quality that England will throw at him, either. At least he's opening here - don't get me started on him batting at number six.
Chris Rogers is a pretty sure bet, his experience and temperament was proved in the fourth Ashes test in England.
He'll be in my side as I'm very confident he can deliver again for Australia.
David Warner is a real tough one, do you risk the ducks in lieu of centuries or search for someone more consistent? His form is second to none, because there's no other batsman in the country who has a handful of tons in the last month. Of course, he hasn't bowlers of the quality that England will throw at him, either. At least he's opening here - don't get me started on him batting at number six.
Like the last series, Australia's fortunes will rely pretty heavily on the shoulders of the captain, Michael Clarke. 'Pup' has a terrific record in home test matches and this will be his third Ashes in Australia. His NSW Sheffield Shield form has been promising, so I see his selection as a no-brainer.
That leaves debutant George Bailey (assuming he plays and selectors don't pick five bowlers!) - given his position it would be a bold move to include him. Bailey played some awesome knocks in India, but adapting back from the slow, low wickets of India to the fast pitches of Australia takes some time. His Shield form reflects this, and while I hope he does well and cements his spot, I'm giving him a couple of innings to find his feet.
I also wouldn't be surprised if we see Phil Hughes at sometime throughout the series, as he will continue to churn out runs for SA like there's no tomorrow. For now though, you shouldn't pick him.
Note: Shane Watson and Steve Smith are classified as all-rounders. Have a look at their preview here.
Onto the visitors, and they are providing a lot of good options to bolster your batting:
The big three - Alastair Cook, Jon Trott and Kevin Pietersen all seem to be excellent choices as usual. Each of the three scored at least one test century last time they were here, meaning the experience and record boxes are ticked. Interestingly, each will pass a match milestone during the series - Pietersen will play his 100th at Brisbane, Cook his 100th at Perth and Trott his 50th at Adelaide. But - KP is under an injury cloud, despite playing in the recent tour match against a NSW Chairman's XI.
Trott was strangled by the Aussie bowlers last series and he didn't pass 60 for the series. Cook doesn't really have a down-side, with commanding centuries in the warm ups and a record amount of runs in 2010/11. However, he too like Trott, was extremely well restricted last time round and averaged only 28 for the whole Ashes.
That leaves debutant George Bailey (assuming he plays and selectors don't pick five bowlers!) - given his position it would be a bold move to include him. Bailey played some awesome knocks in India, but adapting back from the slow, low wickets of India to the fast pitches of Australia takes some time. His Shield form reflects this, and while I hope he does well and cements his spot, I'm giving him a couple of innings to find his feet.
I also wouldn't be surprised if we see Phil Hughes at sometime throughout the series, as he will continue to churn out runs for SA like there's no tomorrow. For now though, you shouldn't pick him.
Note: Shane Watson and Steve Smith are classified as all-rounders. Have a look at their preview here.
Onto the visitors, and they are providing a lot of good options to bolster your batting:
The big three - Alastair Cook, Jon Trott and Kevin Pietersen all seem to be excellent choices as usual. Each of the three scored at least one test century last time they were here, meaning the experience and record boxes are ticked. Interestingly, each will pass a match milestone during the series - Pietersen will play his 100th at Brisbane, Cook his 100th at Perth and Trott his 50th at Adelaide. But - KP is under an injury cloud, despite playing in the recent tour match against a NSW Chairman's XI.
Trott was strangled by the Aussie bowlers last series and he didn't pass 60 for the series. Cook doesn't really have a down-side, with commanding centuries in the warm ups and a record amount of runs in 2010/11. However, he too like Trott, was extremely well restricted last time round and averaged only 28 for the whole Ashes.
With all the attention on these guns, Ian Bell flew under the radar and scored three telling and crucial hundreds at decisive times. Given that Shane Warne has well and truly retired, Bell is a very safe bet to continue his scintillating test form.
That only leaves the new opener to the side, Michael Carberry and green-horn Joe Root. He'll have a long test career, but don't be surprised if Root is found out in Australia, as many young English batsmen have been ruthlessly exposed in previous series. Carberry could provide some value as a point of difference, but I think you're better off going with the season veterans who have done it all before.
So, which five batsmen are you going to select? If you found this article useful, please retweet, share, like etc.
Join our league too - on the Sportal game you can join with the league code 502963.
That only leaves the new opener to the side, Michael Carberry and green-horn Joe Root. He'll have a long test career, but don't be surprised if Root is found out in Australia, as many young English batsmen have been ruthlessly exposed in previous series. Carberry could provide some value as a point of difference, but I think you're better off going with the season veterans who have done it all before.
So, which five batsmen are you going to select? If you found this article useful, please retweet, share, like etc.
Join our league too - on the Sportal game you can join with the league code 502963.