Ashes 2021-22: Shane Warne picks his ideal Australian playing XI for 1st Test

The hugely awaited Ashes series between Australia and England is scheduled to begin in less than a week’s time. The two teams will lock horns in the 1st Test at The Gabba in Brisbane on 8th December 2021.

And, ahead of the 1st Test, former Aussie bowling great Shane Warne has picked his ideal Australian playing XI for the 1st Test match. Warne feels that Marcus Harris and David Warner should open the batting for the Australian side.

The duo of Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith will occupy the No.3 and No.4 positions in the batting lineup. Travis Head and Cameron Green will walk in at No.5 and No.6 in Warne’s Australian playing XI.

Shane Warne picks Josh Inglis ahead of Alex Carey as the wicketkeeper

Reports have stated that Alex Carey is all set to make his Test debut for the kangaroos in the 1st Test. However, Warne has not picked Carey in his XI. Instead, the leg-spin bowling wizard has opted for Josh Inglis as his wicket-keeper.

The bowling attack will comprise of 3 fast bowlers and 1 spinner. The 3 pacers who will take the field for the Aussies for the 1st Test according to Warne are skipper Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson, and Josh Hazlewood. The lone spinner’s spot in the side will be taken up by veteran spinner Nathan Lyon.

Shane Warne is arguably the greatest bowler to have played for the Australian side in Test match cricket. Warne picked up a staggering 708 wickets in his Test career and scalped a stunning 37 five-wicket hauls in the whites. He retired from the game in the year 2007.

Shane Warne’s Australia playing XI for 1st Ashes Test: David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins (C), Jhye Richardson, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood