The English media has said that the India ODI tour will give Australian players an opportunity to stake their Test claims for the winter Ashes series, along with regaining back their grip on the world number one ranking.
According to The Guardian, although former Australia captain Ian Chappell expressed his concerns that this Ashes campaign may be similar to Australia's unsuccessful Ashes campaign of 2010-11, which came hot on the heels of an ill-fated Indian tour, to suggest that this series might derail an Ashes campaign sounds like a 'preemptive excuse'.
The report mentioned that the bulk of the squad is familiar with the conditions they will face due to a mixture of Indian Premier League (IPL) and Champions League experience, adding that Callum Ferguson, who is injured captain Michael Clarke's batting replacement, may reignite his stalled international career with a good show in India.
With the players being assured that impressive performances across the eight-game India tour could yet have a bearing on Ashes selection, the report mentioned that acting captain George Bailey is aware that he is only some solid scores away from serious consideration for an Ashes spot.
The report further said that the omission of the controversial David Warner from the India tour will also put the name of youngster Nic Maddinson, who may open with Aaron Finch in India, in the frame for Ashes selection if he manages to add resourcefulness and maturity to his impressive stroke-play during the sub-continent tour.
According to the report, the tour could end up being a month-long bowl-off between Mitchell Johnson and James Faulkner as Johnson has seen a host of challengers for a Test berth succumb to injury over the past months and Faulkner will be looking to retain his spot from The Oval Test.
The left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty gets another chance at limited overs level having taken Fawad Ahmed's spot from the away series against England, while Brad Haddin replaces Matthew Wade with the gloves and would not be keen on relinquishing them anytime soon, the report added.
