Australia seamer Josh Hazlewood has pinpointed England‘s Harry Brook as one to observe within the Ashes, admitting the Yorkshireman will arrive Down Under with “no baggage”.
The countdown is on for an eagerly-anticipated series which begins in Perth on November 21 and each camps are beginning to forged their eyes on the battle ahead.
A highly-decorated Australian attack will probably be coming up against the highest two batters within the International Cricket Council’s Test rankings – with Joe Root on the summit and Brook just behind.
WATCH THE CRICKET PAPER PODCAST HERE
Root has been a part of three previous Ashes tours but has not been in a position to convert any of his nine half-centuries, while Brook is ready for his first visit boasting a batting average of 57.55.
And, despite an absence of experience in Australian conditions, Hazlewood expects the younger man to be be as much as it.
“I feel a fresh face like Harry Brook might find it easier. There’s no baggage behind him and he can just come out and play with freedom as he does,” he told reporters.
“I feel he’ll adapt. He’s a very good player. He’s at the highest of the rankings for a reason, and he’ll be a troublesome challenge. When (Root) first got here out, it was a bit little bit of a special attack.
“It was probably (Mitchell) Johnson and (Ryan] Harris and (Peter) Siddle. Gaz (Nathan Lyon) has been around a protracted time now, so he was probably there, but we kind of just jumped on the back of that.
“Joe’s probably in the shape of his life as well, so that they’re an unbelievable batting line, to be honest.”
Asked if it was the strongest England batting group to move to Australia in his time, the 34-year-old added: “Yeah, definitely.”
READ MORE: ‘Ashes 2025 Watch’ | Australia vs England, series preview: The Spinner