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Ponting's 2027 Ashes Squad: Backs Smith, Lyon, Cummins & Picks Uncapped Star

Former captain Ricky Ponting has predicted Australia's squad for the 2027 Ashes in England, advocating for minimal changes from the current setup. He strongly backs senior players Steve Smith and Nathan Lyon, citing their experience and success in English conditions. Ponting also supports Pat Cummins to continue as captain and identifies uncapped youngster Campbell Kellaway as a long-term investment. The predicted squad balances established performers with emerging talent to defend the Ashes urn.

Key Points: Ricky Ponting Predicts Australia's 2027 Ashes Squad

  • Veteran core retained
  • Cummins backed as captain
  • Uncapped Kellaway included
  • Green & Inglis backed for key roles
2 min read

Ponting predicts Australia's squad for 2027 Ashes

Ricky Ponting names his Australia squad for the 2027 Ashes in England, retaining a core of veterans like Smith and Lyon while including uncapped talent.

Ponting predicts Australia's squad for 2027 Ashes
"placing his faith in the experience and durability of senior campaigners Steve Smith and Nathan Lyon - Ricky Ponting"

Sydney, Jan 4

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has mapped out his vision for the next Ashes battle in England in 2027, backing a largely familiar core after Australia comfortably retained the urn at home against England.

Speaking on 7 Cricket, the 51-year-old made only minimal changes to the current Test setup, placing his faith in the experience and durability of senior campaigners Steve Smith and Nathan Lyon.

Both endured injury setbacks during the ongoing 2025-26 Ashes, with Lyon featuring in only a couple of Tests and Smith missing one match, but have firmly dismissed retirement speculation, and their proven success in English conditions further strengthened Ponting's stance.

Ponting also threw his support behind Pat Cummins to continue leading the side through to 2027, naming him captain of his predicted squad designed to balance established performers with emerging talent.

Alex Carey was retained as wicketkeeper in Ponting's predicted lineup. With 47 Tests and over 2,400 runs, Carey has evolved into a reliable lower-order batter and a steady presence behind the stumps, particularly during high-pressure Ashes encounters in both England and Australia.

The most notable inclusion was uncapped youngster Campbell Kellaway, whom Ponting identified as a long-term investment for Australian cricket. He also reiterated his backing of Cameron Green despite a modest run of form in the current series, while suggesting Josh Inglis could play a pivotal role in the 2027 contest.

Ponting believes Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc will continue to be central to Australia's plans, while fast bowlers Scott Boland and Jhye Richardson remain locked in a battle for a permanent spot in the playing XI.

Ricky Ponting's predicted Australia squad for Ashes 2027: Pat Cummins (c), Alex Carey (wk), Scott Boland, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Campbell Kellaway, Mitchell Starc, Jhye Richardson, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Hazlewood, Todd Murphy, Steve Smith, Nathan Lyon, Beau Webster, Oliver Peake.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Interesting to see Campbell Kellaway's name. Australia always seems to have a solid pipeline. Meanwhile, we need to find our own long-term investments in the batting department after the big three retire.
R
Rohit P
Cummins as captain till 2027 makes sense. He's a proven leader. But the real question is, will England's 'Bazball' approach still be around by then to challenge them? That rivalry is pure entertainment for cricket lovers everywhere.
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Sarah B
Respectfully, I think Ponting is being a bit too conservative. Starc and Hazlewood will be 37 by 2027! They need to blood more young pacers. India's pace attack is getting younger and faster; Australia might get left behind if they don't plan better.
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Vikram M
Good to see Alex Carey retained. He's a fighter, reminds me of a quieter version of Dhoni in terms of calmness under pressure. The Ashes planning is so detailed, yaar. We should have similar long-term vision for our key overseas tours.
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Karthik V
All this talk about 2027 Ashes, but the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is what truly gets my blood pumping! Hope our boys are taking notes on how Australia plans for the future. The competition never sleeps.

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