The Ashes 2023: picking a dream Australia XI from ex-Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea players

Despite the absence of Premier League football, the summer of sport still contains some jewels with the Women’s World Cup taking pride of place in the sporting calendar.

But for anyone looking for an alternative there is The Ashes as two of cricket’s most historic rivals came face to face in five Tests. England will be hoping to regain the urn - and yes, it is an urn - for the first time since 2015 and gain revenge for the 4-0 series defeat inflicted on them by Australia 18 months ago.

There have been plenty of stars from down under that have shone in the Premier League so we thought an awkward mish-mash of football players that would not look out of place in an Australian Test cricket side was in order. So here it is...

Solid opening batter: Aaron Mooy

Any good Test side needs a dependable opening batter. Someone capable to dealing with any pitch with class and patience and helping their side see off the threat of the opening bowlers. Composure and an ability to remain calm under pressure is needed - so former Huddersfield Town and Brighton star Aaron Mooy fits the bill given the solidity he brought to their midfields during his time in the Premier League.

The enigmatic opening batter: Mark Viduka

With his opening partner offering solidity and control, this batter can play a few shots, try something out of the ordinary and build a partnership that will provide the foundations of a strong innings. After playing an integral role in partnerships with Alan Smith at Leeds United, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink at Middlesbrough and Obafemi Martins at Newcastle United, the rather enigmatic Mark Viduka seems a good option here.

The reliable number three: Mile Jedinak

The loss of an early wicket can provide some concern for a batter side as the hope of building a solid opening partnership falls away. So having a reliable number three to come in and settle those nerves by showing defiance and composure, not to be mention no end of grit, is essential. That can come in the form of former Crystal Palace and Aston Villa star Mile Jedinak, a dependable figure in the midfield of both sides.

The consistant number four: Mark Schwarzer

Should more early wickets tumble, there is a need for the trusted number four to head into bat with a view of preventing any collapse and protecting the middle order if the new ball is still in play. Often a model of consistency but also capable of the spectacular, we feel Premier League stalwart Mark Schwarzer is a more than suitable option to come in at number given the high level of performances he delivered for the likes of Middlesbrough and Fulham.

Flair at five: Harry Kewell

Now we are talking! It’s time for some flair and magic, someone to head into the middle and take the game to the opposition. Some capable of the extraordinary, the ‘X-Factor’ batter, the one that earns the big money and lives up to his tag as a match-winner. Who better than former Leeds United and Liverpool star Harry Kewell? The wing wizard is often overlooked for the impact he made during his time in the Premier League but was as talented as any other widemen when he broke through at Elland Road.

Captain and leader: Tim Cahill

Hardworking, dependable and someone to look up to in difficult moments. Every decent Test match side needed a leader on and off the pitch, someone not scared of taking the blows and delivering a few back at the opposition. Of course, there are no corner flags to take on, but the ever-reliable Tim Cahill was a leader in every sense of the word when he starred for Everton and Millwall during his time in England. We can’t think of many more suitable skippers for this Australian side.

The vocal wicketkeeper: Mark Bosnich

Good with his hands and not scared of throwing a few barbs in the direction of the opposition when he’s behind the stumps, wicketkeepers come in many forms. We’ve opted for Mark Bosnich, who is often criticised for his form at Manchester United and Chelsea, but provided Aston Villa with reliable service during his time in the Midlands. He may need to be kept under control when taking on the opposition given the wayward nature of some of his ‘banter’.

The tricky spin bowler: Stan Lazaridis

Full of tricks and a capability to produce the unexpected, an effective spin bowler forms a major part of any top class bowling unit. We have opted for former West Ham United and Birmingham City star Stan Lazaridis, a player that scored some outstanding goals from out of nowhere.

Pace bowler: Robbie Slater

An opening bowler needs plenty of pace and an ability to deliver the goods at the highest level under pressure. Therefore we have gone for a player that helped Blackburn Rovers to the Premier League title in 1995. Slater was not an integral figure at Ewood Park but he never let Rovers down when he was called upon throughout what was a historic season at Ewood Park.

Pace bowler: Brett Emerton

And any good opening bowler needs a partner to help them put the opposition batter under threat with searing pace and power. We head back to Ewood Park for our second pace option with the selection of former Rovers winger Brett Emerton, who showed plenty of pace on the wings during his time with the club.

The aggressive bowler: Lucas Neill

With pace and trickery provided by others, there is a need for aggression and borderline bullying in any pace attack. This bowler is just as likely to physically threaten the opposition batter as he is to find their pads or the stumps. We were tempted to go for Neil Warnock’s best mate by selecting Kevin Muscat as our number eleven - but we’ve gone back to Blackburn once again by naming Lucas Neill as our tailender.