Mitchell Johnson: England’s Ashes squad is designed to hit Australia hard but will they go the distance?

It doesn’t matter which way you spin it, England’s announcement of their 16-man squad for the Ashes has put the spotlight firmly on risk and reward.

Their selectors have chosen aggression over conservatism, naming a pace-heavy group with more question marks around fitness than certainties about endurance.

It’s bold. It’s brave. But whether it’s enough to beat Australia in their own backyard is another question entirely.

The headline is the pace attack. England are bringing six quicks: Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts. That is as hostile and varied a group as they’ve taken to Australia in years.

On paper, it’s an attack designed to hit hard, bowl fast, and rattle Australian batting line-ups that have often looked more comfortable against