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Saker picks his pace attack for the first Test

Former Australia and England fast-bowling coach wants James Pattinson unleashed - but not until the second Test at Lord’s

A man with intimate knowledge of both Australia's and England's bowling attacks says scores of 280 could be competitive in the Ashes given the immense strike power each side possesses.

And despite the lure of playing a fit-again James Pattinson in this week's first Test, David Saker believes the proven trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins deserve to play at Edgbaston on Thursday as Australia begin their defence of the tiny Ashes urn.

Saker understands the bowling line-ups of the rivals better than most; he worked closely with Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes during his time as England's bowling coach, was a key ally of Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins during his three-year tenure with the Australian side that ended earlier this year, and coached Pattinson and Peter Siddle during a brief but successful stint at Victoria.

Image Id: 769406E035474F0B83274AA80770BFD2 Image Caption: "They deserve to get a go. They haven't done much wrong over the last few years" // Getty

The 53-year-old former first-class paceman has been in constant contact with his former Australian charges in recent weeks and says the 'Big Three' of Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins should be given first crack at England's inexperienced top order this week.

But even if that trio spur Australia to a 1-0 series lead, Saker says one of them should make way for Pattinson to be unleashed in the second Test at Lord's.


"The one Test venue I'd definitely play Pattinson at is Lord's," Saker told cricket.com.au from Los Angeles, where he's currently working with the USA national team.

"If they don't pick him there, I think that's a mistake.

"In saying that, if they go with the proven three in the first Test and they play well, I can't see them making a change. But I think it'd be worth it."

Image Id: F1A2D3D17BAA4BCFBBE915DD87C90741 Image Caption: Saker works with Woakes (left) and Anderson (right) back in 2015 // Getty

Saker believes Pattinson's out-swing will be a destructive force if he bowls against the famous Lord's slope, adding the recent history at the Home of Cricket – including this week's extraordinary Test between England and Ireland – indicates there'll be plenty of assistance of bowlers who pitch the ball up and allow the ball to move.

Australian selectors on Friday named six fast bowlers in their 17-man squad for the series, with the extra depth added due to a compressed campaign that will include five Tests and two tour matches in a little more than six weeks.

It's expected the pitch and weather conditions will play a major role in determining which quicks get the nod in each Test.

"Edgbaston, as a rule, is a pretty good place to bat … and the Big Three are pretty good bowlers on flat wickets so I'd go down that line," Saker said.

"And they deserve to get a go. They haven't done much wrong over the last few years.

"But if you turn up to Edgbaston and the wicket is underdone and there's cloud overhead, you'd have to consider Peter Siddle or James Pattinson, who bowl just that little bit fuller.

"You'd want Starc at Old Trafford and The Oval, most definitely, because they're Australian-like wickets where you might get some reverse swing.

"I don't like to play favourites and it's so hard to know which ones to go with. If I could pick eight bowlers, I would."

Saker was a vocal critic of Australia's brains trust four years ago for not playing Siddle before the dead-rubber fifth Test of the 2015 series, which the Aussies lost 3-2.

And if the notorious English weather leads to some underprepared playing surfaces during the series, the experienced right-armer will present an irresistible case for inclusion, according to Saker.

"He's definitely got a role to play," he said. "I think Australia missed out a little bit in the last series (by not playing him earlier).

"If you get to a venue and you see quite a bit of grass and it's grey overhead, you'd have to consider him as well. He bowls a fuller length, like Pattinson.

"I love Josh Hazlewood to death, but he can bowl a little bit too short at times. His record in England is not great, but I know he's really determined to do well.

"(Selectors) are so often in a position where it's a no-win situation for them. People, like I'm doing now, will say 'you should play this guy, or you should play that guy'. But you never really know until it pans out."

Whichever way selectors go on the pace front, Saker believes the extraordinary bowling talent on both sides means it's batting that will determine the outcome of the series.

"Both pace attacks are pretty special so the batting is going to make the difference," he said.

"If any side can make any sort of runs, 280 or 300, I think they're going to be hard to beat. It'll be a bowler-dominated series.

"I think the Aussies have got the edge, it's just a matter of getting enough runs."

2019 Qantas Ashes Tour of England

Australia squad: Tim Paine (c), Cameron Bancroft, Pat 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.

First Test: August 1-5,Edgbaston

Tour match: Australians v Worcestershire, August 7-9

Second Test: August 14-18,Lord's

Third Test: August 22-26, Headingley

Tour match: Australians v Derbyshire, August 29-31

Fourth Test: September 4-8, Old Trafford

Fifth Test: September 12-16, The Oval