{"id":88303,"date":"2026-03-05T12:20:16","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T12:20:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.timesofsports.com\/sports-news\/?p=88303"},"modified":"2026-03-05T12:20:32","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T12:20:32","slug":"lead-australia-2026-ashes-attack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.timesofsports.com\/sports-news\/lead-australia-2026-ashes-attack\/","title":{"rendered":"The Rise of Young Fast Bowlers Who Could Lead Australia\u2019s 2026 Ashes Attack"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A few years ago, it seemed like the future of Australia&#8217;s on top was determined. In Test cricket, players like Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood are considered one of the great fast-bowling trios of the modern era, but the same cannot be said for the other formats\u2024 With workloads increasing and injuries ending seasons, planning for the next Ashes cycle will have to start well in advance\u2024<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The focus has slowly moved to the next group of Australian fast bowlers. In recent years, domestic cricket has produced several bowlers who could be in the running for the Ashes. By the time England goes to Australia in 2026, the attack might have players whose names have only lately become known on the national stage. You may also try out <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bideford.com\/casinos-not-on-gamstop\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">non-GamStop gaming destinations with broad choice<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to experience something new.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.timesofsports.com\/sports-news\/lead-australia-2026-ashes-attack\/#Domestic_Cricket_Is_Producing_Genuine_Pace_Options\" >Domestic Cricket Is Producing Genuine Pace Options<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.timesofsports.com\/sports-news\/lead-australia-2026-ashes-attack\/#Australias_Pace_Tradition_Always_Creates_Competition\" >Australia\u2019s Pace Tradition Always Creates Competition<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.timesofsports.com\/sports-news\/lead-australia-2026-ashes-attack\/#Why_Young_Bowlers_Ashes_Candidates\" >Why Young Bowlers Ashes Candidates<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.timesofsports.com\/sports-news\/lead-australia-2026-ashes-attack\/#The_Role_of_Australia_A_and_Overseas_Experience\" >The Role of Australia A and Overseas Experience<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.timesofsports.com\/sports-news\/lead-australia-2026-ashes-attack\/#Planning_for_the_2026_Ashes\" >Planning for the 2026 Ashes<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Domestic_Cricket_Is_Producing_Genuine_Pace_Options\"><\/span><b>Domestic Cricket Is Producing Genuine Pace Options<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Sheffield Shield has frequently been the platform for Australians to play Test cricket. Do well there, and the selectors will see you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lance Morris is one of the most hyped young quicks in the country, with the Western Australian regularly registering speeds above 145km\/h\u2024 During the 2022-23 Shield season, he took 27 wickets across five matches\u2024 His pace and bounce helped Western Australia to another national title, and placed him firmly in the national debate\u2024<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jhye Richardson has played international <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cricket\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cricket<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but is part of a crop of young fast bowlers currently considered Australia&#8217;s future\u2024 As has been the case with his career, hampered by injuries, when placed in the team, Richardson&#8217;s control and movement will mark him down as a Test bowler\u2024<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another whose form has drawn attention is bowler, Spencer Johnson\u2024 The left-arm quick adds diversity to an attack that is usually based on right-arm pace. His speed has previously impressed in both domestic and limited-overs settings.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Australias_Pace_Tradition_Always_Creates_Competition\"><\/span><b>Australia\u2019s Pace Tradition Always Creates Competition<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Australian cricket has always been known for its depth in quick bowling. Every time period has brought new players who are ready to join the national team.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie led the attack in the early 2000s, and were followed by Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, and Ryan Harris, all of whom played prominent roles in memorable Ashes series\u2024<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The three seniors today are continuing that tradition. Cummins is always accurate, Starc swings the ball from the left, and Hazlewood moves the seam consistently. Their presence sets the bar for younger bowlers who want to get regular Test chances.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-88305\" src=\"https:\/\/www.timesofsports.com\/sports-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Pat-Cummins-Mitchell-Starc-Ashes.webp\" alt=\"Pat Cummins Mitchell Starc Ashes\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.timesofsports.com\/sports-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Pat-Cummins-Mitchell-Starc-Ashes.webp 1280w, https:\/\/www.timesofsports.com\/sports-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Pat-Cummins-Mitchell-Starc-Ashes-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.timesofsports.com\/sports-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Pat-Cummins-Mitchell-Starc-Ashes-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.timesofsports.com\/sports-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Pat-Cummins-Mitchell-Starc-Ashes-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.timesofsports.com\/sports-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Pat-Cummins-Mitchell-Starc-Ashes-150x84.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.timesofsports.com\/sports-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Pat-Cummins-Mitchell-Starc-Ashes-696x392.webp 696w, https:\/\/www.timesofsports.com\/sports-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Pat-Cummins-Mitchell-Starc-Ashes-1068x601.webp 1068w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Selectors also know the value of versatility. A five-Test Ashes series needs bowlers who can keep up their speed and discipline for lengthy periods of time. This is a good indication for Australian cricket, given the strong competition in the pace ranks.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Young_Bowlers_Ashes_Candidates\"><\/span><b>Why Young Bowlers Ashes Candidates<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the Test level, just having raw speed doesn&#8217;t always mean you&#8217;ll win. Several things set promising quicks apart from bowlers who can lead an Ashes attack.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Control is still the most worthwhile thing. Bowlers who keep their lines and lengths under check get rewarded on Sheffield Shield wickets. In recent domestic seasons, Morris has been better in that area.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Durability is also extremely vital. Fast bowlers have to do a lot of physical work across long Test series. Richardson&#8217;s injuries show why managing workloads has been a top concern in Australia&#8217;s development programs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being able to change is also notable. When English hitters face bowlers from other countries, they often use patient defence. Fast bowlers who can quickly change the length of their deliveries tend to do well in Ashes matches.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>READ<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timesofsports.com\/cricket\/the-ashes-winners\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Ashes Winners List Since 1882 &#8211; Including Player of the Series<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Role_of_Australia_A_and_Overseas_Experience\"><\/span><b>The Role of Australia A and Overseas Experience<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exposure to other countries speeds up development. Australia A trips provide young bowlers a chance to play against tough opponents before they start playing full Test cricket.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Selectors can see how new players handle different batting styles when they play teams like England Lions or India A. Some of Australia&#8217;s present possibilities have already worked in these kinds of places.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">County cricket is also played &#8211; fast bowlers from Australia typically come to England to improve their skills with a Dukes ball, bowling in the swinging conditions often encountered in England\u2024. This is a valuable experience before an Ashes series.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Planning_for_the_2026_Ashes\"><\/span><b>Planning for the 2026 Ashes<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While stars Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood may be needed today, more work must be done to ensure future success\u2024<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Younger bowlers need to be ready to step up when necessary due to injuries, workload, and the nature of international careers\u2024 Australia&#8217;s fast bowling pipeline should be secure given recent domestic performances\u2024<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By the time the 2026 Ashes rolls around, it may be a combination of older, experienced heads and some new fast bowlers with the potential to step up\u2024<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Australia has rarely had trouble finding fast bowlers who can change the course of Ashes matches. The present generation that is moving up through the domestic system seems set on keeping that tradition going.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A few years ago, it seemed like the future of Australia&#8217;s on top was determined. In Test cricket, players like Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood are considered one of the great fast-bowling trios of the modern era, but the same cannot be said for the other formats\u2024 With workloads increasing and injuries ending seasons, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":88304,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":"","_wp_rev_ctl_limit":""},"categories":[104],"tags":[116,85,115],"class_list":["post-88303","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news","tag-ashes","tag-australia","tag-australia-cricket-team"],"modified_by":"Times Of Sports","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.timesofsports.com\/sports-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88303","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.timesofsports.com\/sports-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.timesofsports.com\/sports-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.timesofsports.com\/sports-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.timesofsports.com\/sports-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=88303"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.timesofsports.com\/sports-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88303\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":88306,"href":"https:\/\/www.timesofsports.com\/sports-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88303\/revisions\/88306"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.timesofsports.com\/sports-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/88304"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.timesofsports.com\/sports-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=88303"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.timesofsports.com\/sports-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=88303"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.timesofsports.com\/sports-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=88303"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}