Michael Clarke feels Australia will lose the Ashes if something happens to the bowlers

Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke feels that Australia can lose the Ashes series against England if any of the bowlers get injured. The hosts haven’t included a genuine all-rounder into their squad, as they have recalled Shaun Marsh to give their batting some meat going into the 1st Test and therefore the onus will be on four bowlers to bag 20 wickets in the game.

Mitchell Starc has been at his best in the domestic competition while Josh Hazlewood too, is looking sharp. Both the pacers are making comebacks from injury and therefore the Australians are aware of the possibility of an injury in the long series. On the other hand, Pat Cummins bowled good number of overs under the sun in the sub-continent and he is looking fit to have a crack at the Englishmen. Spinner Nathan Lyon has set the alarms quite literally ahead of the Ashes and he will look to shoulder the spin work

Worth the risk to play an all-rounder: Clarke

The home side has also included Jackson Bird and Chadd Sayers into the squad. Sayers has an impressive record in Adelaide, the venue for the 2nd Test match. “I feel the only way Australia loses the Ashes is if something happens to one of those three quicks or Nathan Lyon. I would have been probably thinking it’s worth the risk to play an all-rounder at No.6, even if it’s only a few overs off the three quicks and Lyno, to try and get them through the whole series. Jackson Bird is in top form and Chadd Sayers has been a wonderful bowler for a long period of time, so we’ve got back-up,” he said.

Clarke also spoke about the importance of Marsh in the squad and how he has backed the batsmen at times during selection meetings.“I loved having him in the group and fought hard for him on occasions because I know how talented he is,” Clarke said.