THE FIGHT FOR THE ASHES

	Sign In Sign-Up

The opposing selectors have recently revealed their hands, with the Aussies announcing their touring party, and England announcing the list of contracted players. It is a nice change that the England selection was a big anti climax, in that we all knew exactly who would be chosen, I can’t think of anyone who is a debatable selection, or of any glaring omissions. By contrast the debate was raging in the Aussie camp. One series loss in India, following a record 16 Test wins in a row, and ‘The Best Side Ever’ was about to be dismantled. A weak top order, an injury plagued out of form leggie, two quicks who can’t walk a mile without being injured, not to mention the skipper’s twin and his penchant for the bookies, and suddenly they weren’t in Kansas anymore.

The England side is the best we have had since we last beat the Aussies in 1753 (or does it just seem that long ago what with Aussies being so gracious?). In the last 12 months a few returns and a couple of new boys have augmented the proven quality players such as Atherton, Hussain, Stewart, Gough and Caddick. Thorpe has always been class and if he needed a winter off to recharge his desire for the game, then so be it. Along with him, we have seen the rebirth of White, as a true Test class all-rounder, Cork as the main focus of irritation for the opposition, and Giles as a spinner who can take wickets, and contain, along with some talent with the bat which he did not show this winter. Trescothick scored his first Test ton in Sri Lanka, and will do well to maintain his great start to Test cricket, while Vaughan looks a class act, composed and calm, with a fine technique, his first Test century would be welcome this summer.

This side only came together for the second half of last summer, and the winter tours, so it would be fair to suggest that they will be at their best this summer, in home conditions with the confidence of four series wins in a row behind them.

The Australian selectors have named a proven squad, but with plenty of players with something to prove. The debate before the side was announced was over the top order, with Slater and Langer out of form. Not only have they both been selected, but Slater and Hayden are the only opening bats in the squad. They must succeed or there are no alternatives but to bat someone out of position. The middle order picks itself while the back up batsmen are Martyn and Katich. We have been told for a couple of years that Katich is quality, while Martyn who does look class has been around for years. This is a problem for Australia. If they had changed the top order, or picked another opener, the candidates would have been experienced players like Cox, Elliot, or Blewett; surely the production line of Australian batting hasn’t gone the same way as that of West Indian fast bowlers?

Gilchrist is the best number 7 in world cricket, but he will have to play every game as he is the only keeper selected. The spinners are Miller and Shane Warne, whose position was supposed to be under threat. MacGill is a good bowler, but Warne has the ability to take wickets with his personality, and with wet pitches, spin may not play much of a part in the series. With the seamers at their disposal it may be best for the Aussies to play four quicks, but then having four fit quicks may prove difficult. McGrath is one of the best in the world, but a cold damp English summer is not where you want to be if you are getting over niggly injuries, which is the case with Lee and Gillespie, it seems unlikely that they will both complete the series and play 5 Tests each. Flemming should do well in England, while Bracken is the back up seamer, who may play the Tests when injuries strike.

After all the talk about the make up of the squad, the Aussies have picked a side with 6 bowlers and 6 batsmen whose averages are better than the best English performer, a measure of the task we face this summer. The old adage that form is temporary while class is permanent springs to mind, but it is difficult to know when a loss of form is in fact the start of a terminal decline. Australia are the best side in the world, of that there is no debate, but they are not as settled as they were last November, while by contrast the England side has come together in that time, and will give the Aussies a tough test. It has been a long time since we went into an Ashes series with genuine hope of winning, my head still says the Aussies, but there is something in the air, if you strain you can just smell it. It’s not the scent of victory? Is it?