Henriques wary of England's 'huge threat'

England are set to name their Magellan Ashes squad on Wednesday and while all eyes will be on three or four uncertain batting spots, Australia allrounder Moises Henriques is more concerned about their dangerous, established middle-order batsmen. 

Having completed seven Tests and two series wins in the northern summer, England are no closer to solving the problems surrounding positions No.2, 3 and 5 in a rickety batting order that’s been a revolving door in the past 12 months. 

James Vince, Gary Ballance, Dawid Malan and Mark Stoneman are tipped to make the trip Down Under next month, a quartet light on experience and runs that is set to face a powerful Australian fast-bowling battery and perhaps the hottest spinner in the world today.

But Henriques says Australia’s focus should sharpen on their more established threats with the willow, namely England’s captain, their dynamic allrounder and prolific wicketkeeper.

"I feel like they’ve got a really dangerous middle order," Henriques told reporters on Tuesday. 

"While you might see some weaknesses there other than Joe Root, guys like Ben Stokes have really started to step up over the last couple of years. 

"He’s an absolute pleasure to watch bat when he’s at the top of his game, not when you’re playing against him but when he’s playing someone else. 

"I think he’s a huge threat in their middle order especially if they get off to decent start he can just come in and change the game really quickly. 

"Jonny Bairstow has improved his cricket a lot as well. They’ve got some really strong batters there that can do really well."

Root is the No.2-ranked Test batsman in the world (behind Ashes counterpart Steve Smith), Ben Stokes is perhaps the most damaging allrounder on the planet and Bairstow has become a reliable gloveman and contributor at No.7.

Throw in veteran opener Alastair Cook, who in the 2010-11 Ashes series in Australia amassed an astounding 766 runs, and England have got four seasoned, resolute figures in their top seven who all sit inside the top 20 Test batsmen playing today. 

Stoneman looks set to partner Cook at the start of the Ashes, at the Gabba on November 23, having done just enough in his three Tests against the West Indies, posting one half-century and 40 not out at Lord’s. 

Henriques, who is vying for the No.6 spot in Australia’s XI, has seen the left-hander up close and has cautioned there’s more runs in the Surrey opener. 

"I was lucky enough to play with Mark Stoneman who opened the batting who I don’t think we’ve best of yet at international level," Henriques said.

"I’m sure for Australia’s sake they’ll want to keep that the way it is."

England are set to announce their Ashes squad on Wednesday at 7pm AEST before flying out to Australia on October 28.

2017-18 International Fixtures:

Magellan Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets

ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Buy tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets

Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28. Join the ACF

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets

T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 13

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21