Ashes 2019: 4 players to watch out for

Ashes 2019 commences on August 1st at Edgbaston, Birmingham and the series is expected to be a fiercely contested competition with England looking to regain The Ashes after their drubbing in Australia in 2017 where they lost 4-0.

On the other hand, Australia will fancy their chances with the return of ace batsmen Steven Smith and David Warner, who will form an imperative part of the visitors' batting unit. This edition of cricket's biggest rivalry promises to be an absolute spectacle with both teams boasting of some quality players.

With the two teams set to clash in the first test in Edgbaston, here are four players who could make a massive impact all through the series.

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#4 Jofra Archer

Jofra Archer's rise has been wonderful as he has now become a certainty in England's squad across all formats, owing to the 'X-factor' he possesses with the ball in hand. On the back of a fabulous run in the Indian Premier League and the domestic circuit in England, Archer was picked for the World Cup 2019 England squad and he made a major impact in his country's historic title triumph.

He was the highest wicket taker for England with 20 wickets all through the competition and his ability to trouble the best of batsmen with his searing pace and bounce was a standout. The zip he gets off the wickets could prove to be a handful for Australia, specially if the conditions suit fast bowling.

Though he is missing out from featuring in the opening test match, Archer is certain to feature in one of the games and given that fact that England have never had an out and out fast bowler who can intimidate batsmen with pace and bounce, Jofra Archer will be a key bowler for England.

#3 David Warner

David Warner

The southpaw has been in some scintillating form post his return from the ban and will undoubtedly play a massive role at the top of the order for Australia. On the back of a fantastic IPL season, David Warner was in top form for Australia all through the World Cup and will need to strike a formidable partnership along with Cameron Bancroft.

From 19 matches, Warner has scored 1522 runs at an average of 47.56 including three centuries and 11 half-centuries against England. The left-handed opener made a massive contribution in Australia's win during the last Ashes as he notched up 441 runs from five matches at an average of 63.

With form on his side, David Warner can be banked to produce his best show from this series as his contribution will, without a shadow of a doubt, have a massive say on the overall result of the series.

#2 Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes will be the key player for England

Ben Stokes played a very important role for England in the World Cup and was the hero of the final. He also played some crucial knocks throughout the tournament, contributed in all three departments and was England's go-to player. He finished with 465 runs at an average of 66 and picked up seven wickets.

England will be hoping that a player such as the caliber of Stokes, who is an asset in all departments of the game brings his best to the field and contributes to his best potential.

Owing to a controversy that kept the star all-rounder away from the Ashes in 2017-18, Stokes has a huge role to play for England in this series and if he can contribute they way he did in the World Cup, England can certainly fancy their chances of regaining the Ashes.

#1 Pat Cummins

Pat Cummins will look to contribute on both fronts

Pat Cummins has been excellent for Australia in recent times and has now evolved into the role of the leader of the Australian pace attack. He was the highest wicket-taker in the last Ashes series that took place in Australia, with 23 wickets from five matches.

He has been in wonderful form in recent times, including a good World Cup campaign and now looks set to play ahead of the likes of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

Cummins' top show has sealed his spot in the side as one of Australia's key players, emphasized by Tim Paine recently speaking about Cummins being first in line to take over the captaincy from the wicket-keeper batsman.

While it is known that Cummins is one of Australia's leading pacers, his ability to produce some quality knocks with the bat in hand will come in handy all throughout the series.