By Joe Man
I think every cricket fan would agree that it was a relief to see England name a strong team for the Ashes. Australia is on a determined road to trying to open their borders making touring somewhat easier. There are no real surprises in the team but the questions are many!
Ben Stokes is the biggest loss through a combination of mental health issues and a finger injury. Sadly, it seems we may never get to see Stokes in an ashes game down under. The losses of Ollie Stone and Jofra Archer to injury are also big blows for the England team. If I were Australia looking at this team I’d be preparing some hard fast bouncy wickets!! Other than Mark Wood this attack is averaging around 135kms. Compare that to the Aussies who have 150km bowlers coming out of their ears. Mark Wood could benefit from fast wickets, but will his body hold up to 5 tests? History would say not! Moreover, Ollie Robinson bowled beautifully against the Indians and could be England’s stand out bowler. It will be his first time in Australia playing test cricket so it will be quite a learning curve.
What of England’s ageing legends Anderson and Broad? Australia hasn’t been the happiest hunting ground for the record-braking Anderson. 60 wickets from 18 Tests at 35.43 is his worst average in any country. In Adelaide, he will be dangerous under the lights of the day night test. Jimmy seems to be holding off the age factor for now but a flat Melbourne Cricket Ground in 38 degrees could be a problem. Stuart Broad has also struggled in Australia at times but has a good record against a number of the opposition batsmen and a wealth of knowledge of the Ashes Cauldron! Chris Woakes and Craig Overton will have big roles to play as rotation will certainly be needed at some point over the five tests. Australia’s bouncy wickets also suit their spinner Nathan Lyon and England will need either Jack Leach or Dom Bess to stand up in this important role. Batting Joe Root heads to Australia in the form of his life. Much of England’s chances, you feel, revolve around Root and how many runs he can make.
There is always huge pressure on visiting captains in Australia but Root has lots of experience having started his England career so young. The big question for England is where his support comes from. Dawid Malan had his best times in an England shirt in Australia so he will be key at number 3. Bairstow and Butler will be expected to be the enforcers in the batting line up and with runs on the ball will be dangerous. Perhaps the hardest job will fall on Burns, Hameed and Crawley who will share the two opening roles. Hameed will likely get the first go but he will need to prepare for the toughest fast bowling examination in the world. This will be the biggest test for these batsmen with Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood and co firing line, length and chin music at 150kms. It’s a big ask of any team. India last year was not afraid to stand there and get hit and then take the attack to the Aussies. England will need to do the same. A defensive mindset of trying to survive will not work in Australia against this line up. The first test in Brisbane at the Gabba will be a hell of a wakeup call. Traditionally one of the quicker bouncier wickets, it has been somewhat of an Australian fortress, over the years.
There is one question however that we don’t know the answer to and that is, where are Australia at? Out of the expected Australian team; Smith, Warner, Hazlewood and Starc are heading to the T20 world cup. The rest will be itching to get back to state cricket to get into some form after not having played much. The bowling attack barring injury pretty much names itself. I would expect Hazlewood, Starc, Cummins and Lyon will be the starting attack. The young Cameron Green offers a genuine all-rounder although so far he hasn’t shown much with the ball. On the batting front Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne will be first on the team sheet. It seems David Warner will open even though it seems a long time since he has made runs in any format! Elsewhere it’s not as clean cut with Will Pucovski, Joe Burns, Travis head and Mathew Wade all in the mix. The final make up will largely depend on domestic and world cup performances. With Australia’s record at home so strong and an England team missing two of their biggest stars, it’s hard to see England getting much from this tour. England stayed with India in England but that’s a very different story.
Lastly it’s important to remember England will be without their extra 12th man “The Barmy Army” as England’s only supporters will be ones living in Australia! It will be a shame to not see them there and I’m sure England will miss the cheerful and fanatical support!
England Squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
WHEEL2WHEEL REPORTS 