It’s safe to say that the better England have got in limited-over formats, the poorer they have become in Test Cricket, also known as the ‘pinnacle format of the sport’. By the end of last winter, England were cruising along in their merry way as they overcame a tough-looking Sri Lankan side and in fact clean-swept them in their own backyard. They were riding high before a rather subtle crash came along as they transgressed from the winning ways on their trip to the Caribbean. England’s selection woes in the longest format, since then, have only worsened and so have their performances. The likes of Stonemans, Jennings and Denlys have all circled around the team but are yet to solidly ground themselves in the international set up.

The ODI World Cup winners have announced their squad for the Battle of Edgbaston, the first of the five fiery face-offs. The hosts have decided not to stray down the riskier path and instead called upon a battalion of 14 men to hold guard for the first Test. Jofra Archer, the man with nerves of steel and the newly born hero of the English, has been given his maiden call up to the national Test team. Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler, two glorified sons of English Cricket, return to the main arena after being rested for the victory versus Ireland at Lord's. 

Stokes, who may well be knighted in the coming months after his heroics in the World Cup that saw him lifting the Man of the Tournament trophy, has also been reappointed as England’s vice-captain since the infamous nightclub incident in late 2017. Interesting to note is the fact that despite Jack Leach’s historic, and in another context, match-winning innings against the Irish at Lord’s, English selectors have decided not to consider him for the first Ashes Test. That leaves behind Moeen Ali as the solitary, front-line offspinner in the line-up unless the skipper decides to scrap off the jersey and roll an arm or two himself. 

Whether Archer makes a Test debut in Birmingham remains to be seen given he is still recovering from the left side niggle that he carried throughout the World Cup. That’s precisely why Ed Smith and co racked up half a dozen pacers in the squad. Jimmy Anderson, who missed the one-off Test against Ireland himself as he was nursing a calf injury, returns to the squad and is expected to be fully fit on the match eve. Olly Stone impressed against the Irishmen with some wobbly movement and extra zip off the deck that no one else seemed to extract throughout the span of the game. All in all, the two veterans, Anderson and Broad are expected to take up the new cherries with the ever cunning Chris Woakes being the third pace-bowling option. 

Moreover, English selectors have also kept faith in the ever fragile top-order that has changed face and shape numerous times over the last 18 months or so. It’s Rory Burns, Jason Roy and Joe Denly who comprise of the top three and one has to admit, the vicious Aussie pace attack will be all but licking their lips at this. 

England’s squad for the 1st Ashes Test: Joe Root (c), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes 

Since the summer of 2001, Australia have been unable to take home the remnants of the Ashes from England. This year, they land on the English soils with a much stable squad and the weaklings of England’s Test side are likely to play in their hands, too. Australia have named a 17-man squad for the first Ashes Test scheduled to be held at Birmingham’s Edgbaston. Much like their opponents, the batting order undoubtedly remained the biggest question mark for Australia, until the comeback to international scenes for the guilty trio: Cameron Bancroft, Steve Smith and David Warner, all three of whom are certain starters for the Edgbaston Test. Opener Marcus Harris was Australia's leading run-scorer against India with 258 at 36.85 but he has had his fair troubles with converting starts into scores of significances. 

Joe Burns, the promising right-handed batter, has also been amongst the runs in the absence of Warner and Smith at the top of the order. His fleshy ton against Sri Lanka earlier this year, however, wasn’t enough to earn him a spot in the 17-man squad announced for the first Test. He has battled a bout of post-viral fatigue and looks to make a strong comeback sooner than later. Australia, though, have been bolstered with Cameron Bancroft roaring back into their international colors. Bancroft stormed into contention for the opener's slot after an unbeaten 93 in the pre-Ashes warm-up on a trough that most batsmen found quite demonic. The positive energy and enthusiasm that he carries around the team is well appreciated by both his fellows as well as the national selectors. 

Matthew Wade has been recalled to Australia’s whites, continuing what is now a stunning career turnaround for the 31-year old wicket-keeper batsman from Hobart. However, with Tim Paine performing the behind-the-stumps duties, Wade is expected to feature as a specialist batsman in the middle-order. Wade’s inclusion was almost inevitable given he had stockpiled a superb 1021 runs from 10 Sheffield Shield games last summer. 

Another player named in the squad and a certain contender for the first match is James Pattinson who last featured for the Aussies in a Test match back in 2016. A promising young talent when he first emerged on the international scene but he kept fading away from the spotlight due to numerous injury scares, tears, and niggles. He was only 23 when he rushed through the English top-order on a chilly morning at Trent Bridge, back in 2013. For the past few months, Pattinson is said to be in his prime best. Steaming through, hitting the hard lengths and making the red cherries talk. For so long the coming of age of a man, he knows his time is now and the place is perfect, too. 

He is a part of a precarious looking Aussie pace-attack and as much as he has battled for a spot in the squad, Pattinson is highly likely to feature in the Ashes-opener. Pace options are indeed aplenty for Australia after Michael Nesser also earned a call-up the Test squad after his impressive show with the new ball in the pre-Ashes practice game. He is a sixth specialist seamer and seems to be in terrific company of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

Australia’s squad for the 1st Ashes Test: Tim Paine (c), Cameron Bancroft, Patrick Cummins, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner.