As Australia stood on the verge of wrapping up a successful 3-1 Ashes defense at home, legendary former captain Ricky Ponting looked ahead to the 2027 return tour in England. Speaking on 7 Cricket, the 51-year-old icon unveiled a ‘visionary’ 16-man squad that mixes a defiant trust in Australia’s aging ‘Golden Generation’ with the sudden injection of two teenage sensations. Ponting’s selections emphasize that while the ‘urn’ is safe for now, the battle in England conditions two years from now will require a specialized blend of veteran mastery and fresh, fearless legs.
Ricky Ponting’s vote of confidence on Pat Cummins and Steve Smith for Ashes 2025-26
Despite mounting concerns over an ‘aging core,’ Ponting has doubled down on experience. He emphatically backed Pat Cummins to lead the side into the 2027 series, dismissing any talk of the captain stepping away despite recent back issues. Most notably, he included Steve Smith (who will be 38) and Nathan Lyon (nearly 40), could be that their historical success against the Duke’s ball and mastery of English flight are assets that cannot be fast-tracked in younger players.
The new generation picks by Ponting for Ashes 2025-26
The headlines from Ponting’s reveal centered on two Victorian youngsters: 23-year-old Campbell Kellaway and 19-year-old Oliver Peake. Kellaway is viewed by as the technical heir to Usman Khawaja’s opening slot, while Peake, a left-handed prodigy who dominated the Under-19 World Cup, is the ‘X-factor’ inclusion designed to transition the middle order.
All-round balance for Australia against England
Addressing the need for versatility in England, Ponting retained Cameron Green despite a difficult 2025-26 summer where his batting average dipped to 32.25. Green’s “stiff and rigid” technique can be corrected and that his height remains a lethal weapon on English pitches. To provide insurance, he also named Beau Webster, the Tasmanian giant who has been in ‘stunning’ domestic form with both bat and ball.
The pace battery and spin contingency
While relying on the ‘Big Three’ of Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood, Ponting’s squad ensures the pace attack isn’t left thin. He named Jhye Richardson and Scott Boland as the primary backup options, noting that Boland’s ‘heavy ball’ remains perfectly suited to the relentless lengths required at venues like Edgbaston and The Oval. In the spin department, Todd Murphy was named as the designated successor to Lyon, ensuring a ‘passing of the torch’ is ready to happen mid-series if required.
Ricky Ponting’s predicted Australia Ashes 2027 squad for England series:
- Leadership: Pat Cummins (c)
- Top Order: Travis Head, Campbell Kellaway, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith
- Middle Order/Youth: Oliver Peake, Beau Webster
- Wicketkeepers: Alex Carey (wk), Josh Inglis
- All-rounders: Cameron Green
- Fast Bowlers: Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Jhye Richardson
- Spinners: Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy
