Former Australian wicketkeeper-batter Ian Healy has called for changes to Australia’s Test setup, particularly in the pace-bowling department, if the team is to regain the Ashes in England. The 2023 World Test Championship winners have continued to underwhelm, with inconsistent batting and patchy bowling performances contributing to a series defeat in South Africa. Questions remain over the form of Marnus Labuschagne, the ageing pace trio of captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, as well as veteran spinner Nathan Lyon, as Australia look to rebuild during the 2025-27 WTC cycle.
Speaking to SEN, Healy said he does not believe Australia can currently win the Ashes in England and expressed concern that improvements in the batting line-up are not happening quickly enough.
Our batters are not coming in and making hundreds early doors. Josh Inglis did, but he has been around the squad for about four years. “Wholesale changes, not really, but we better get a fast bowler going. Xavier Bartlett, I would like to see him get a Test here or there. Get him away from white-ball cricket too. He’s got a very successful role to play in red-ball cricket. “Yes, it is time (for a tough call on Lyon). But not to rule him out. I have got him in a bowl-off in the next two Shield games.
Because it does not seem to be happening with our batters, does it, “No, it cannot (win the Ashes in the UK),. O’Neill has an equally impressive record, with 205 wickets in 53 first-class matches at an average of 20.32, including 11 five-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket match haul. He was Victoria’s leading wicket-taker in last season’s Sheffield Shield, claiming 35 wickets in nine matches at an average of 18.80.
They have carried him as a second wicketkeeper and a handy batter,” Healy said. We had better start giving him and Fergus O’Neill from Victoria some exposure to the pressure of fast bowling in Tests,” he said. Healy also said it is time for Australia to make a difficult decision regarding Lyon, though he stopped short of suggesting the veteran be dropped outright. He has got to show me some form in these two Shield games,” Healy said.
