Ashes talking points: searching questions raised by Australia’s series win | Martin Pegan

1. Head’s heroics open new doors

Much of the story going into this summer’s Ashes was about the so-called ‘Bazball’ and how the home side could counter England’s gun-toting batting and express bowling attack. Less than two days into the series, Australia had found an emphatic answer to both. It took a while for Head to open alongside Test debutant Jake Weatherald in Australia’s second innings in Perth. The fireworks and 69-ball century that followed blew the tourists away to take what had previously seemed an unlikely first Test victory.

The move of the head to the top of the order now seems like a masterstroke. He finished as the top scorer in the Ashes with 629 runs, another two tons and an astonishing strike rate of 87.36. Australia’s ongoing quest for an assertive opener could be solved with Head, even if he also happens to be the leading batsman in the middle order. Usman Khawaja spoke in his farewell about the mental struggle that comes with opening the batting, but Head could be the exception that proves the rule as a player is best served by being at the top of the order when needed.

There were high expectations that Weatherald could instead fill the void as the opener who can set the tone of an innings. But amid a handful of dim starts and occasional signs of promise, a half-century from ten innings and an average of 22.33 against England are hardly enough to secure a long-term future. The Darwin-born left-hander was exposed to deficiencies against full and short balls, and now has eight months to work on those weaknesses before a possible return home when Australia hosts Bangladesh. It’s unlikely there will be many, if any, chances without more runs on the board, especially with 23-year-old Campbell Kellaway among those knocking on the door.

2. The debate between Green and Webster is heating up

An Ashes victory sealed in three Tests and inside 11 matchdays allowed Australia to keep an eye on the future as much as chasing a series sweep. It perhaps allowed Cameron Green to keep his place in the side even before Australia enjoyed the luxury of playing a few all-rounders when Beau Webster was added late for the Sydney final. But the selection can only be taken so far down the road as Green continues to flatter to deceive and Webster feels comfortable when given the opportunity at Test level.

Australia are still waiting for Green to emerge as a reliable Test player, let alone flourish as a true all-rounder. All the tools are there even if he continues to tease, but 171 runs for the series at an average of 24.42 and four wickets at 70.75 fell well short of even mediocre expectations.

Webster, on the other hand, looks like a cricketer who has learned his trade at the domestic level and is looking to make the most of every opportunity at the highest level. After Green gave up his wicket with a whimper at the SCG, Webster settled for a stylish and unbeaten 71 that saw Australia build a match-defining first innings lead. The 32-year-old’s players may lack the pace and penetration of Green’s, but being able to bowl more than useful off-spin could also open another door for the Tasmanian.

3. Khawaja’s departure opens up a middle position

With an aging Australian team and amid diminishing personal returns, it was widely expected before the series started that the Ashes would be the stage for Khawaja’s retirement. An untimely back injury for the 39-year-old and 176 runs in 25.14 were enough to prove these predictions correct. What few could claim to have foreseen was that Khawaja’s departure would open up a spot in the middle order rather than him eyeing the new ball.

Marnus Labuschagne reclaimed his place in the Test squad by piling up runs at national level, while another discard in Matt Renshaw might consider himself unlucky not to have done the same. The 29-year-old has made back-to-back centuries in his two most recent Sheffield Shield matches, and has carried much of that form into the Big Bash League season without being added to the Ashes squad. Renshaw’s claim to be the next taxi driver is helped by his versatility, with experience as an opener who can also score quickly when beating the order, especially after Josh Inglis failed to make his mark in two Ashes Tests.

4. Questions remain about the future of spin

Australia’s worst fears came true when Pat Cummins fell short in his race to be fit in time for the Ashes opener, almost at the same time that Josh Hazlewood joined the Test captain on the sidelines. But when the famous bowling cartel was dissolved, Starc reached new heights with a devastating 31 wickets at an average of 19.93. Scott Boland uncharacteristically played all five Tests, claiming 20 wickets, while Michael Neser took 15 in three matches, Brendan Doggett earned a baggy green and Jhye Richardson returned to the scene. Hazlewood’s vulnerability threatens to be an ongoing concern, but Australia’s pace attack suddenly has a newfound strength in depth.

The spotlight instead turns to who the next regular spin bowler could be, with Nathan Lyon arguably on his last legs and the selectors reluctant to call on other tweakers. Australia’s confidence in spin had already been tested when Lyon had to bowl just two overs in Perth and was then left out for the pink-ball Test that followed. Todd Murphy came closest to claiming a place in the XI after Lyon was injured playing in Adelaide, but even with seven Tests behind him the series finale was not relied upon in what proved to be a turning point at the SCG. Matt Kuhnemann has proven he can make an impact on South Asian wickets but is yet to play a Test in Australia, while Corey Rocchiccioli has been the standout off-spinner for the past two Sheffield Shield seasons without earning an international debut. Now that Lyon is 38, the next big selection decision can only wait so long.