The Ashes 2013: Top five Australian players to watch out for

The biggest issues faced by Australian cricket under Mickey Arthur heading into the Ashes was their non-performance, the apparent lack of team spirit and the non-existent self-belief. A number of these factors can be turned around with a change in leadership, and that is what Australia have opted for.

Darren Lehmann is a proven commodity and he will bring the ambition and aggression that have characterized Australian sides of the past. However, the personnel remain pretty much the same. It is however questionable if a change in leadership, that too off-field leadership, can bring such a massive turnaround. Will Australia be able to challenge the dominant, superior English side come the first Test match at Nottingham?

These questions will be answered with time. However, what we can definitely analyse as of now is the balance of the Australian side. There is a lot to worry about in that respect and as Ian Chappell has recently pointed out, their batting looks particularly weak. The bowling has a bit of muscle but is inexperienced and is still lacking in experience when compared to the English bowling line-up.

That is not to say Australia cannot be competitive. Big occasions often make big players and a player or two punching above their weight can propel a team to victory. If the author’s perspective is to be taken, that is pretty much what happened in England’s victory at the Ashes of 2005.

For Australia, a group of players will form the nucleus of this side and their performances can determine where the balance tilts in the series. Here is a list of five players who can make the difference for Australia:

5. Chris Rogers

Chris Rogers

It is a remarkable personal story for Rogers to be selected for the Australian Ashes squad when he is 35 years old and least expected it. He has been on the threshold of the Test squad for a really long time, but youth was always given priority. It is not a time to ponder upon personal milestones though, and he will be well aware of that.

The player who has a vast English county experience and currently leads Middlesex will be at home playing in the English conditions. One of the primary reasons that he was called into the side is the lack of experience in the batting line-up. He will plug that gap with his wisdom. He is a steady player who plays by the philosophy that you stay on the wicket till someone does enough to get you out. He won’t be committing any mistakes.

4. Peter Siddle

Peter Siddle

They say the toughest task in Test cricket is to assemble a bowling lineup that can take 20 wickets. If that is true, then Australia have something to be hopeful about. The so called ‘worst Australian squad to visit England’ does boast of a potent bowling line-up. There is some fresh talent and there is the experience of old-bloke Peter Siddle.

The right-arm-bowler is a work-horse and is an asset to any leader as he will promise to run in no matter what stage of the game it is. Alan Border has tipped him to be key to Australia’s Ashes fortunes as he will play a role off the field as well as on it. He will infuse that work ethic into the bowling lineup that is required in an Ashes contest.

3. Shane Watson

Shane Watson

The all-rounder was one of those players who were, perhaps, not comfortable in the Mickey Arthur regime. Darren Lehmann realizes the potential he has and has already decided to open with him in the first Ashes Test. That may prove to be a masterstroke as Watson’s batting abilities are heavily under-rated.

He has been Australia’s best limited overs cricketer for a while and he can step up his game to show the world that he has the temperament, the skill and the motivation to do well the most testing version of the game.

2. Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke has to share a part of the blame for the failure of the Mickey Arthur’s reign. Australia’s failure at the Ashes might spell alarm bells for Clarke’s captaincy. His batting ability has never been in doubt but the recurring injury troubles are now becoming a burden on Australian cricket as they can’t afford their leader to go missing from important games. He needs to lead the team from the front in England. They desperately need his runs in the middle order.

1. James Pattinson

James Pattinson

Australia have found an answer to James Anderson in this energetic young bowler who has improved leaps and bounds in a year of international cricket. He came to England for the first time last year to play an ODI series and was completely ineffective but he has learned from that experience and is performing pretty well in the tour games.

He took seven wickets against Somerset and looked deadly as he extracted swing with the new ball. He used the bouncer very well and maintained a great control over his line and length. He can derive reverse swing from the Duke ball once it loses its shine and will be looking to do the same against England in the Ashes. He is a trump card, pure talent and skill, but will it be enough?