Australia Selector Trevor Hohns Raises Concerns On Lack Of Test Cricket Before The Ashes Series

Australia’s lack of Test cricket leading up to the home Ashes series later this year has left chief selector Trevor Hohns concerned. Australia and England will lock horns in five Tests towards the end of the year down under, with the first Test likely to start in Brisbane. With the national team set to play no red-ball cricket before that, Trevor Hohns remains concerned by the challenge England can pose.

While Australia has a formidable record at home against England, having won the last two Ashes bouts convincingly, the Baggy Greens would undoubtedly find themselves under pressure. The series defeat to India this past summer would further provoke them to perform well in the upcoming season. With the T20 World Cup set to be contested in India before the Ashes, Australia would likely not have enough match practice before the Tests.

Trevor Hohns expressed his concerns about Australia’s chances in the Ashes and hopes that the first-choice players would play plenty of Shield cricket, getting them prepared for the Test matches. Simultaneously, he understands that most of them would be engaged with the T20 World Cup preparations at that time. With England having Test matches under their belt by then, he expects a daunting challenge for Australia.

“Very concerned about that, no doubt, and hope that they’ll play plenty of Shield cricket and I believe they will be programmed leading up to the first Test. However, that won’t help some of our players as hopefully they’ll be engaged in the T20 World Cup. It’s a difficult one, England is certainly playing plenty of Test cricket and we haven’t got anything on the plate so it’s a concern,” Hohns said as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.

There’s no secret that there are positions available: Trevor Hohns

Trevor Hohns also acknowledged that there are positions up for grabs in Australia’s Test team, whether it is in the middle or top order. Hohns stated that there are only a few standout players and have constantly been challenging their players to level their game up to slot into the side. The 67-year old hopes for such cricketers to come into the outfit and hopefully, perform well.

“There’s no secret that there are positions available, whether that’s middle-order or the top of the list. Yes, it is a concern because there’s no standout but that’s what we are challenging our players to really put up their hands at the start of next season then get into the Australian side and perform well when they do,” he added.

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