2013 Ashes: The players to watch

These 12 cricketers are likely to play a key role in their respective teams' fortunes in the upcoming Ashes series, which starts on July 10, at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.

CHRIS ROGERS (left-hand bat) [AUSTRALIA]: 

Five years after his lone previous Test appearance, Rogers has been installed as a Test opener by Lehmann, who is banking on the player to transfer his fine first-class record to the international stage. 

Highly unusual for Australia to recall a 35-year-old but Rogers, who started this season as Middlesex captain knows English conditions well following several county stints.

JAMES ANDERSON (left-hand bat, right-arm fast-medium) [ENGLAND]:

The leader of England's attack and now one of the world's top swing bowlers, Anderson has become renowned for his accuracy after some tough, stop-start years early in his international career. 

Recently became only the fourth England bowler to take 300 Test wickets and the hosts will be desperate for him to remain fit during the Ashes.

SHANE WATSON (right-hand bat, right-arm medium) [AUSTRALIA]: 

How much the injury-prone Watson should bowl and where he should bat are two questions that have plagued Australian cricket in recent years.

Lehmann appears to have solved the batting question but this promises to be a key series for Watson, desperate to improve on his meagre haul of Test hundreds. 

Was the most high-profile casualty among players of the 'homework' scandal in India.

ALASTAIR COOK (capt, left-hand bat, right-arm slow) [ENGLAND]: 

Not yet 30, he has already scored more Test hundreds than any England batsman in history, having reached three figures on debut against India. 

The opener had a sensational series during the last Ashes scoring 766 runs at an average of 127.66 with three hundreds. Criticised for being too cautious and predictable a captain but as England hold the Ashes, the onus is on Australia to take risks.

                   

MICHAEL CLARKE (capt, right-hand bat, slow left-arm) [AUSTRALIA]: 

One of the world's leading batsmen and the standout member of Australia's top order, Clarke has won praise for his attacking approach to captaincy but has still to convince in some quarters as a leader of men. His longstanding back injury remains a worry.

GRAEME SWANN (right-hand bat, right-arm off-spin) [ENGLAND]: 

England's premier spinner is set to come across at least a couple of pitches that will aid turn this Ashes and the hosts will expect him to both give the seamers a break and take wickets of his own, provided his suspect bowling arm holds up.

 

KEVIN PIETERSEN (right-hand bat, right-arm off-spin) [ENGLAND]: 

Former captain Pietersen was briefly dropped after a stunning century against his and Trott's native South Africa last year for sending texts reportedly critical of then England captain Andrew Strauss to Proteas players. 

But Cook decided he could handle all the hassle that comes with Pietersen if he can still produce the kind of masterful hundred he fashioned against India in Mumbai in November. Now fit after knee trouble.

PETER SIDDLE (right-hand bat, right-arm fast-medium) [AUSTRALIA]: 

Fulcrum of Australia's attack, who leads from the front in the field with an aggressive attitude. He is also capable of sharp bounce and a fine outfielder too. 

Has had his share of injury problems but showed his class during the first Test of the 2010/11 Ashes when he took a hat-trick at Brisbane to dismiss Alastair Cook, Matt Prior and Stuart Broad.

JAMES PATTINSON (left-hand bat, right-arm fast) [AUSTRALIA]: 

Capable of genuine fast bowling he, in common with so many of Australia's quicks, has suffered from injury problems. 

But if he remains fit, could have an impressive series with his fledgling bowling record a sign of his quality. Younger brother of Darren Pattinson, capped once by England, and has an English father.

JOE ROOT (right-hand bat, right-arm off-spin) [ENGLAND]: 

New 'golden boy' of English cricket who still emerged from a bar-room encounter with Australia's David Warner largely unscathed in all senses. Correct and stylish batsman, he faces a major challenge after being promoted to open the innings for the first time in Tests this Ashes.

 

JONATHAN TROTT (right-hand bat, right-arm medium) [ENGLAND]: 

Dependable number three who demonstrated calmness under pressure when making a hundred on debut against Australia at The Oval in 2009. Can infuriate opponents and crowds alike with the time he takes in getting ready to face up to the bowling but England have no reason for wanting Trott to change his ways.

 

DAVID WARNER (left-hand bat, leg-break) [AUSTRALIA]:

Caused the controversy of the tour thus far when he was suspended until the first Test for punching England's Joe Root in a Birmingham bar after Australia's Champions Trophy loss to their arch-rivals. 

Although an opener, won't be at the top of the order now Lehmann has gone for Rogers/Watson at the top of the order. But the dynamic shotmaker could still feature in the middle-order.