The World Cup has only recently come and gone but it’s time to shake it off and get stuck into the real deal which is test cricket. And not only any old red ball event either – it’s the prestigious Ashes! Let’s take a close look at who I feel could fire and who could crash and burn…
SETTING THE SCENE
Cricket fans were clearly not the only ones nursing a post-World Cup hangover as the Poms so nearly made history for all the wrong reasons as they struggled past Ireland in a once off test. Of course, the scheduling of this test was very unsympathetic for the English and even the start of this Ashes series seems a touch rushed considering the amount of time, focus and energy that was poured into the recently completed (and success) World Cup campaign.
But we are on to the REAL stuff now and I for one am looking forward to getting back into the proper cricket which truly tests all disciplines of the game over the course of four innings. Both teams had little problem in getting past Sri Lanka in 2018 but this will be at a whole different level. In May last year England suffered a nine-wicket beating at the hands of Pakistan at Lords whilst Australia were handed a 3-1 series whipping by South Africa. The last Ashes series was hosted in Australia and the home side romped to a four-nil win.
England find themselves in fourth place on the ICC Test Rankings at present whilst the Aussies are just below them in fifth.
LET’S TALK TACTICS
Australia finally have a full-strength team to call on. Nathan Lyon is the best spinner on show in the series and they have plenty of fire power with their fast bowlers. The talk leading up to the first test is that James Pattinson and Cummins are already penned in for the first outing whilst Starc, Hazlewood and Siddle will duel it out for the remaining spot. The fact that someone like Mitch Starc could be left on the side lines is a testimony to the pace bowling strength available to coach Justin Langer. The concern for the men from Down Under is that they have traditionally struggled to handle the swinging ball in England and despite having Warner and Smith back there are a few untested players tasked with tackling the treacherous conditions.
England developed their brave cricket identity in the shorter form of the game but in the longer version they are yet to really find their voice. In the absence of Cook the top 3 is still very fresh – prompting the possible elevation of the skipper. The big question for this Ashes series will be how the others can possibly offer Root the amount of assistance he requires for big totals to be achieved by the team. On the bowling front Woakes has proven a consistent performer in home conditions, Broad seems to rise to the occasion of Ashes cricket and the short-form sensation, Jofra Archer, has also been included in the squad. Yet the kingpin to their attack – and possibly the man who will decide whether they reclaim the Urn or not – is still Jimmy Anderson. There are few (if any) bowlers of Jimmy’s class around who are able to move the ball around either off the pitch or through the air. His bowling is tailor-made for English conditions and should the old boy really hit his straps this series should be in the bag.
HOW I SEE IT PLAYING OUT
Edgbaston has treated the Poms well and it will be an uphill task for Australia to turn them over here. But with England arguably still struggling to re-focus after their World Cup success the visitors can’t afford to miss out on the opportunity of drawing first blood.
My thoughts on the series: With the old Duke ball in use for this series I’m expecting bat to dominate ball. Thus opposing runs will be my position. Steve Smith will no doubt look to lead from the front and at no.4 he is also a touch more protected from the new moving ball, but I feel there is some great value to be had elsewhere. Ben Stokes is in incredible form right now and he’s worth sticking to.
For the first test specifically Pattinson has basically been confirmed and he will be chomping at the bit to get stuck in from ball one on his return.
Series Bets with BETOLIMP:
Top Tournament Bat – Joe Root @ 5.00
Top Aus Bat – Travis Head @ 14.00
Player of the Series – Ben Stokes @ 13.00
First Test Plays with BETOLIMP:
A hundred to be scored in the first innings – NO @ 2.00
Top Aus 1st Innings Bowler – JL Pattinson @ 5.00
Top Eng 1st Innings Bowler – JM Anderson @ 4.00
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change
Couch Critic
