Who needs to cement their place and who could be a hero for the home side?
The Ashes start this week and there are careers on the line not just the prized urn a the Australian side look to exact a measure of revenge over the all-conquering English.
After being able to put up a fight for a sessions or so during the recent tour, the Aussies will be out to show they are not going to a doormat for another win by Alastair Cook and his men on hostile soil.
fanatix looks at five Australian players who will need to have massive performances this summer if they are not only to cement their place in the side, but also help them get the Ashes back.
Mitchell Johnson
As fascinating an enigma as you find will in international cricket today, Mitchell Johnson gets another reprieve to his international Test career after being called into the current squad.
Despite showing good pace and, more importantly, line-and-length during his performances in India, Johnson still has that worrisome combination of being a match-winning fast bowler and not knowing if the ball will head towards second slip.
Johnson could be the X-factor the Aussies are looking for this summer or his form could be a worrying distraction they don’t when they need almost everything to go right if they are to win against the odds.
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