Last Updated on 6 months ago by Charbel Coorey

The English press and fans have not wasted time in scrutising Australia’s squad for the first Ashes Test. 14 of the 15 members are above 30 years of age, and England supporters are picking apart the hosts as confidence builds ahead of the big series.

“Jofra Archer will be licking his lips looking at this Dad’s Army Australia Ashes squad”, wrote Lawrence Booth in the Daily Mail.

“It is as if the Australia selectors picked their squad with a plan to please Jofra Archer by ignoring his potency against left-handers,” wrote Nick Hoult in his piece for The Telegraph.

“This has been to the benefit of Australia’s fast-bowling greats Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, but it has undermined their batsmen, which is why their selectors are taking a dart on [Jake] Weatherald, who averages 37.6 in first-class cricket,” continued Hoult.

Another reason for English confidence is the question mark on Australia’s top six. There is still conjecture around who opens, plus whether both Cameron Green and Beau Webster will play.

“…it seems remarkable that weeks before one of the most anticipated Ashes series, Australia still don’t know what their combination is or will be,” former England captain Atherton wrote in his piece titled ‘England can exploit Australia’s muddled thinking over openers’ for The Times.

ALSO READ: The XI Australia should go with for the first Ashes Test in Perth

England fans bullish about their chances after Australia Ashes squad announcement

Australia announced their 15-man squad for the first Ashes Test on Wednesday. Weatherald was selected after a strong performance in last season’s Sheffield Shield, while Marnus Labuschagne earned a recall. Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott are the reserve pace bowlers as Pat Cummins is injured.

“That’s a really old Australian squad ahead of the opening Perth Test. Should call em Dad’s Army,” wrote one England fan on X (formerly Twitter).

“Broad is right. Nothing to be scared of in that squad,” wrote another.

This all adds to the excellent buildup ahead of what is one of the most highly-anticipated Ashes series in Australia. England have not won a Test down under since 2011, and there is a growing confidence that this will be their time.

Time will tell.