‘baz Bawl’: Australian Media Stoke Ashes Rivalry With Welcome For England’s Stokes

Australian media gave Ben Stokes a scathing invited to nan state successful nan buildup to nan Ashes. A image of nan England skipper pushing a trolley laden pinch luggage astatine nan airdrome was accompanied by nan header “Baz Bawl” connected nan beforehand page of nan West Australian newspaper.

“England’s Cocky Captain Complainer, still smarting from ‘crease-gate’ lands successful Perth early reasoning dopey “BazBall’ tin return nan Ashes,” publication nan subhead successful reference to an incident successful nan past bid erstwhile Jonny Bairstow was controversially stumped. The article went connected to criticise England’s strategies nether Stokes and nan caput coach, Brendon McCullum, describing it arsenic “carefree and sloppy thrash batting”.

Australia person named their squad for nan first Test successful Perth, which originates connected 21 November. Jake Weatherald could make his debut, while Australia person besides recalled Marnus Labuschagne. Opener Weatherald is 1 of 3 uncapped players successful nan squad on pinch nan seamers Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett. Tasmania’s Weatherald aliases Labuschagne will switch nan dropped Sam Konstas, while nan injured skipper Pat Cummins misses retired and location is nary spot successful nan group for all-rounder Mitch Marsh aliases Middlesbrough-born Matt Renshaw.

Konstas scored conscionable 50 runs successful six innings during nan three-Test circuit of nan West Indies earlier this twelvemonth to time off nan Australia selectors looking for a caller opening partner for Usman Khawaja. The 31-year-old Weatherald would look group for that position, though Labuschagne could return aft being dropped pursuing nan World Test Championship last astatine Lord’s, having had an awesome commencement to nan Sheffield Shield season.

Steve Smith will skipper nan broadside successful Cummins’ absence, pinch Scott Boland apt to support his spot successful a three-man seam onslaught alongside Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.

Chief selector George Bailey said: “The squad gives america bully equilibrium and, pinch 14 of those chosen playing nan adjacent information of Sheffield Shield, we will proceed to stitchery accusation arsenic we move person to nan commencement of nan first Test.”

Doubts complete nan fittingness of Cameron Green mean nan all-rounder whitethorn beryllium incapable to vessel successful nan first Test, having sent down only 4 overs truthful acold during nan Australian summer. That could mean Beau Webster retains his spot astatine six, pinch Green remaining astatine number three. If Green is fresh to bowl, Webster could find his spot nether threat from Labuschagne should Weatherald get nan motion to open.