The ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 just got over and another cricket carnival is about to get underway. The Ashes 2019 is a week away and England and Australia are set to locks horns in Test cricket’s biggest rivalry. The marquee event is expected to witness a tight encounter between the willow and the red-ball. However, the recent playing conditions in England seems to support the fast bowlers which mean piling up runs will not be an easy job for the batsmen. Ashes 2019: Here's a Look at the Top Five Test Encounters Between England and Australia Over The Past Decade.

The fact in Test cricket is that a team needs to pick twenty wickets to win an encounter but the batsmen also play a crucial role in setting up the victory for their side. The upcoming series will witness some of the best batsmen in action who can toil  any bowling line-up in the world. So, ahead of the five-match Test series let’s have a look at five batsmen who can top the batting charts. Ashes 2019: Allan Border Advises Australia to Pick Their Best Batsmen in England vs Australia Tests.

David Warner

The southpaw enjoyed a dream return in Australia’s ODI colours at the 2019 world cup and will want to display similar performance in the longest format as well. The 31-year-old has a stellar record in Tests and has demolished many bowling line-ups in the past. Courtesy the world cup, Warner got used to the English conditions. So, restricting him will not be an easy job for James Anderson and Co.

Joe Root

The England Captain is the mainstay of the side’s batting line-up and the 28-year-old will have the responsibility to pile up big runs for his team. Root has become a veteran of the game and knows very well how to construct innings in Tests. The right-handed batsman played a crucial role in England’s world cup winning campaign and will like to continue his purple patch in longer format as well.

Steve Smith

Along with fellow teammate David Warner, Steve Smith will also make a comeback in whites. The former Australian Captain has staggering numbers in Test cricket which anyone could boast off. The right-handed batsman has an unorthodox technique but has scored runs in every condition he played. Smith has even registered a double-hundred in England which the English bowlers will vary off.

Ben Stokes

The hero for England in the World Cup final will also be critical to the side’s chances in Ashes 2019 as well. The New Zealand born all-rounder is a vital cog for the team in the longest format. The southpaw often stood up whenever the top-order collapsed and with the kind of form he is in, Mitchell Starc and Co. will have to give their best to restrict him.

Jonny Bairstow

The wicket-keeper batsman has been a consistent performer for England for quite some time now. Bairstow comes to bat down the order in Tests and has often shown resilience in crunch situations. The right-handed batsman has a solid defence and knows how to play according to the condition. Bairstow was also in sublime form at the 2019 World Cup and is expected to do well in the Ashes as well.

So, these were some batsman who can posses a great threat to the bowling line ups in Ashes 2019. England will go in the series with being high on confidence but the full-strength Australian squad will be a force to reckon with. Thus, it is not easy to predict the favourites of the series and only time will tell that who will conquer the clash of the titans.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 24, 2019 03:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).