Those Ashes Match-ups
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Matching players in the same positions against each other can be pretty misleading. Like comparing goalkeepers before a football match doesn’t really give an idea as to where that match may be won or lost.
Similarly, in this Ashes series Cummins v Crawley of Broad v Warner are likely to be the more decisive way the series will be headed, but that’s more difficult to chart.
What is interesting is how the two squads match up when it comes to strengths and weaknesses.
Openers
This is the weakest link for both sides. Warner is hanging on to test survival by not a lot and Kahawaja has that slightly overstated poor record in England.
The hosts have Zac Crawley (34! Tests with an average of 28) and Duckett who is still pretty unproven.
Number 5
This promises to be the Ashes’ equivalent of golf’s party hole. WTC Man of the Match Travis Head’s turn around on form over the fast few years has been quite something. He still looks like a grade slogger, but he’s obviously worked out what he needs to do to succeed at this level. The Duke ball aspect will be interesting.
Brook’s entry into test cricket has been the poster child of Bazball. This will be different.
Allrounder
This is arguably the most interesting match-up of the lot.
If you’re being honest and not in the pocket of his promoters you would have to agree that Cameron Green is anything but the New Jacques Kallis that he’s been portrayed. His promotional media coverage is a story in itself. He’s not a bad player at all, but if Australia had Kallis at his peak in this series then it’s probably a whitewash so those comparisons are head scratching.
In the England corner there is Ben Stokes. The Captain and the Lieutenant of Bazball. Yet, since those two famous innings in 2019 he hasn’t really done tat much, and especially with the ball.
The English media out here earlier in the year called him Brearley which must surely cut deep.
Having said that, he is known for only producing in the big games. This is actually a really important chapter in his legacy. He must bowl 10 overs a day.
Keeper
A lot will depend on how Bairstow comes back from the golf injury. England probably has the slight edge here, but Carey is a good player.
Just strange that the world’s second best gloveman is unlikely to feature.
Spinner
Australia clearly has the advantage here, although Moeen Ali’s return from that wilderness ensures that England’s batting goes seriously deep. That Australian batsmen will really target him which will be a series within itself. And can he bowl > 20 overs a day?
Fast bowlers
Where do you start with this? Both sides are likely to use at least 5 quick bowlers and Australia has the advantage in depth there. Scott Boland may not start the first test yet his style of bowling seems to be perfectly suited to English conditions before thinking about the psychological damage he inflicted 18 months ago.
This is where, on paper anyway, Australia seems to have the edge but you’d be a fool to write off Anderson and Broad with that Duke ball at home. They will make inroads with every new ball; the question being how they come back 50 overs in.