Fire and brimstone and the Ashes. Aussies have a definite edge to keep the urn. – By TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor).
As the hyped up Ashes series gains momentum, and the gloves are off for a feisty battle, this series definitely has the trimmings of a blockbuster as cricket mad Aussies gather to meet England’s challenge and matching barbs with the Barmy Army.
Much has been written and debated about the clash of cricket’s titans which will remain unrivalled in terms of the game’s origins that will continue in its entirety.
While pundits and analysts decipher the intricacies, I take a different approach to my assessments and predictions about how this series will play out.
Statistics and predictions on past performance has no real relevance in this case much like picking a Melbourne Cup winner.
Looking at the two combatants, I see two potent bowling attacks that will prove pivotal to deciding this series pretty much on the proviso, the key bowlers stay healthy.
Both teams have batting that reaches deep, but here is where Australia hold a decided whip hand.
Australia has an influx of talent that is available to be tapped into, England not so deep.
Therein lies the possible advantage to the Aussies apart from home conditions that the tourists will take time to adjust.
The evolving methods of pitch preparation gives England no advantage in strategic planning, but Australia may have some inside insights as most home team’s do these days although there’s no guarantees in this game of uncertainty.
Pushed in to the domestic program has given the Aussies time to assess playing conditions and the nature of the pitches in the five Tests before the big dance.
Australia’s dilemmas, if it is, focus around getting the batting and team makeup right, more so the batting order because of the injuries to key pacemen , skipper Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood which makes it intriguing and let’s England in with a chance.
England for their part, are projecting an air of cool confidence having already finalised their battle plans. But that facade could well hide their innermost feeling of uncertainty against a known adversity that is drilled to not buckle down. No matter what.
My prediction rests on Australia’s batters led by stand in skipper Steve Smith and a line-up that runs down to number eleven to tip the scales in Australia’s favour.
It will be the hinge on success or disaster against an England attack that is as potent as Steve Smith’s men with Joffer Archer, Mark Wood and skipper Ben Stokes’s spearheading an attack that has plenty of variety in a closely talented duel between cricket’s greatest rivals.
Mitchell Stark leads a fiery Australian attack and although missing Cummins and Hazelwood, is still potent with Ben Duckett, Scott Boland and Michael Nesser to choose from. If Duckett and Boland are both selected, it will be a landmark decision of two indigenous players representing Australia for the very first time.
My prediction is Australia 4-1 or 3-2 but the contests will be riveting. Can’t see a draw in excellent Aussie conditions
