England’s announcement of their 17-man squad for this winter’s Ashes has been met with a mixed reaction from the fans and cricket pundits.

After weeks of uncertainty over the Ashes going ahead, England have selected their “strongest available” squad.

They will be without the services of Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, Olly Stone and Sam Curran – four players who would have been expected to tour if available.

Given that England last won a Test in Australia almost a decade back, many England supporters have kept their expectations for this winter’s tour low.

Full strength Ashes squad named by England. I expect them to challenge Australia, they might even win a test.#Ashes pic.twitter.com/mwJWsqbu1a

— Menners🏏 (@amenners) October 10, 2021

Some, including Michael Vaughan, felt a more free-scoring batter like Liam Livingstone should have been included.

I personally would have picked @liaml4893 in the squad … #Ashes

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) October 10, 2021

Think England should have picked Liam Livingstone. He is an all-rounder and closest they have to Stokes in terms of power, aggression and attitude.

— John Etheridge (@JohnSunCricket) October 10, 2021

In a parallel universe Ed Smith is on a Zoom call defending Liam Livingstone’s inclusion in England’s Ashes squad and everything is a little bit more exciting

— Matt Roller (@mroller98) October 10, 2021

Matt Parkinson’s exclusion, too, didn’t sit well with some.

Alternative approach: overlooking him for the main squad entirely. #Ashes https://t.co/TlwjtgyAx9

— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) October 10, 2021

I like Dom Bess very much – it’s possible he’s even a tad underrated. But offspin in Australia if you’re not N Lyon or G Swann? None for fucken heaps.

— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) October 10, 2021

What a disappointingly predictable Ashes squad assembled by @ECB_cricket. Was hoping for some bold selection calls like Saqib Mahmood, Matt Parkinson, Ben Foakes, but no…. I am pleased to see Malan back, though. pic.twitter.com/OaPwqCzoOo

— David Ingram (@Dinkum270926) October 10, 2021

The question of England’s thin batting resources came up.

Only one member of England’s Ashes squad has a Test batting average above 40.#Ashes

— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) October 10, 2021

The similarities between this and England’s 2017-18 touring group were commented on, too.

The thrill of England's Ashes squad. Four years working on a fresh bowling approach to winning in Australia, and here it is: Woakes, Overton, Broad and Anderson. pic.twitter.com/N0KqSQXaAX

— Geoff Lemon Sport (@GeoffLemonSport) October 10, 2021

But this was still viewed as the best squad that England could’ve come up with, taking into account all the injury concerns.

Eng Ashes squad about as strong as it could be without Stokes,Archer, or Stone. Mahmood for Overton maybe. Parkinson for Bess. The inclusion of Sam Curran would have been pointless.

— mike selvey (@selvecricket) October 10, 2021

However, for many the verdict of the series was already here.

The inevitability of 5-0 is really starting to hit home#Ashes

— Ben Gardner (@Ben_Wisden) October 10, 2021

Only bad weather will prevent this England squad from copping a 5-0 thrashing #Ashes https://t.co/zSeKC1dCtr

— Adam Hayward (@Hayward_AdamK) October 10, 2021

But they said they were going to announce a strong squad…. #ashes https://t.co/5lDpBHAnFE

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) October 10, 2021

We’re going to get battered.

— Luke Sales Online (@LukeSalesOnline) October 10, 2021

The fact this is our strongest available squad sums it up. Boring, uninspiring but at the same time we haven’t got a lot else. Hope I’m wrong but the ashes could be a massacre https://t.co/K9O4g9FBXe

— Alex Duffell (@alex_duffell) October 10, 2021

Although, the Barmy Army had a slightly different take on the squad announcement.

With Root our captain, we’ll take the urn home 🎶

— England's Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) October 10, 2021