The Ashes Preview

By Aiden McLaughlin

It’s that time again; the Ashes are back with the five-Test series starting tonight New Zealand time at Edgbaston. Two men that will be on the ground throughout proceedings are George Dobell, Senior Correspondent for The Cricketer, and Jonathan Norman, talkSPORT’s Cricket Editor. Here are their thoughts on one of the most anticipated series for many years.

The Ashes are back – how excited are you?

GD: It does feel as if it could be a bit of a classic, doesn’t it? I generally don’t feel any more excited about the Ashes than any other series. But the aggression of this England side will, I think, jar with the Australian side and they’re going to give each other hell. It’ll be the cricketing version of Rocky. England will, I’m sure, stick to their guns: they’ll try to smash Cummins and co out of the game; and while people say ‘it won’t work against Australia’, they did say that ahead of the NZ series, the India Test, the Pakistan series etc. Many of us have had doubts on many occasions. They keep proving us wrong.

JN: I can’t remember being as excited for an Ashes.  The main reason for this is that unlike most of the series that have been played since then (a) this one doesn’t come with the baggage of being overshadowed by 2005 (b) there are big characters on both sides (c) it’s two of the best teams in world cricket going against each other (d) both can play attractive cricket and most importantly (e) I haven’t a clue what is going to happen or who will win.

How would you summarise the styles of the respective captains?

GD: They are both fantastic cricketers and they are both natural leaders. But Cummins is a pretty traditional leader, albeit with a more likeable side than some previous captains, whose side will play positive, high-quality cricket. I’m not expecting too many surprises from him. But Stokes is extreme. He is obviously a charismatic leader who has proved himself as a player. And he is completely committed to this style of cricket we’ve never seen before. He has the complete support of his team, his coaches and the ECB and has united the country behind him. Is it a cult? Maybe. But it’s a cult I’d like to join.

JN: Both captains speak well, have the complete backing of their team, get the best out of their team and lead from the front.

What are the strengths and weaknesses for both teams?

GD: England’s batting line-up looks long and strong. With Bairstow at 7 and Moeen at 8, they will be encouraged to play with confidence and freedom. They also have the quickest bowler in the series – in Wood – and a collection of seamers who can exploit the Dukes ball and English conditions. The worry is Stokes’ knee. If he can’t bowl – and it doesn’t look as if he can – it’s very hard to balance the England side. It could leave them with three seamers, one of whom is in their 40s. That’s not ideal, is it? They also have an opener who hasn’t scored runs since the dawn of time and a middle-order who haven’t batted in red-ball cricket since New Zealand. Australia, meanwhile, have a well-balanced side. The middle-order is terrific, the bowling line-up excellent and the emergence of Cam Green a fantastic addition. They look very strong.

JN: Injury and age. England have been unfortunate in regard to the former and now find themselves going into a home summer Ashes in much the same way they used to approach an away summer Ashes. Fingers crossed about ongoing injury concerns to Stokes himself, Anderson, Robinson and Bairstow, while Leach and Archer won’t feature at all. Their strength lies in their batting and the captaincy of Stokes. Home advantage may prove to be important as well.

It’s now Ali (rather than Leach) v Lyon. What does each spinner bring to their team and how crucial will their roles be?

GD: Well, Moeen at his best is a beautiful bowler. At his best he gains lovely drift and dip and can threaten both edges of the bat. He was also a good enough batter to score four Test centuries in a year at one stage. But he probably hasn’t been at his best for a few years and he comes into this series with a modest record against Australia and no first-class cricket for a couple of years. So I’m a bit worried about his spinning finger, which tends to blister. Lyon, meanwhile, is a vastly experienced bowler. He’ll offer control in the first innings and bite if conditions allow. He’s maybe not as pleasing on the eye as Moeen, but he’s a tough, experienced cricketer and Australia will feel they have the edge in this area.

How will both teams rotate the rest of their bowling stocks?

GD: Playing five – or six, really – Tests in such a short space of time is really tough and teams will need to rotate. I do think there’s a bit of a drop off in quality from the Australian first choice attack to the support bowlers but the presence of Green and Lyon allows them to balance the side quite nicely. Cummins may have to look after himself a little but Hazlewood is, pretty much, fast bowling perfection and to be able to rotate the likes of him and Boland is a luxury.

In England, it seems anyone with a pulse and bladder control will get a go. And they might have to compromise on those details.

JN: England’s rotation has already happened in a way and made things much clearer.  Pick your best bowling attack for now and see what is happening later.  There are big questions over whether Moeen Ali will still be England’s spinner by the end of the series.  If he is then England will have done pretty well.

I can’t see Mitchell Starc missing as many games as he did in the 2019 Ashes.  Hazlewood’s injury situation means it’s unlikely he will play more than 2-3 matches.

Both teams have question marks over one of their openers – how do you see Warner and Crawley getting on against the opposition bowlers? If they have early struggles will they be replaced?

GD: Opening in England is desperately tough. We have to be realistic about the expectations. Warner has started well in the WTC and remains, in my view, a fine player. He didn’t do much wrong on the last tour. The wobble seam presents questions no batter has yet answered. I wouldn’t be surprised if he lasts the series. The Crawley situation is bizarre. We’re long past the situation where he should have gone. Logic and reason went out of the window months ago with this selection.

JN: Yes is the answer to your second question.  Both will look to score quickly but Warner knows his game better than Crawley and that could prove to be the main difference.  A good start for both is imperative.

Who will be the most important player for each team and why?

GD: The captains. Stokes balances the side and sets the tone for the way England play. Australia are less reliant on Cummins but he’s a key bowler and will have to look after himself. He may also have to control his team if they are sucked into playing out of their bubble by England’s aggression.

JN: Ben Stokes for England, for obvious reasons.  Steve Smith for Australia.  If Smith scores big runs then it will be very difficult for England to take the 20 wickets they need and bring their batting into the game.

How crucial will home advantage be?

GD: History suggests it is but I’m not sure. If England really are going to ask for flat, quick tracks, I think they are giving home advantage away.

JN: Depends on the wickets.  If they are as flat as predicted then it might not make much of a difference.  Watching Steve Smith bat for a day and a half is enough to silence even the Barmy Army.

Finally, a series score prediction please?

GD: I’ve no idea. Anything could happen. It’s why I’m excited.

JN: 2-2.  I can’t bring myself to predict an Aussie series win but think England will struggle to take 20 wickets.

 

 

The Ashes will be broadcast free on Spark Sport until 30th June and after that free on TVNZ +. Commentary on all five Tests will also be available on SENZ.

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