Countdown to Ashes glory

Amidst a maelstrom of a sensational summer of sporting contests, there is one that rises above all others like a phoenix.

Andy Murray may have become the first Brit to win Wimbledon for 77 years, Chris Froome may have taken charge of the 100th Tour de France on the first day in the mountains only to then see his team-mates self-combust on the second, while the Lions’ dominant live-long-in-the-memory third Test vanquishing of Australia secured their place in history.

However, it is another contest involving Australia that catches the imagination – the Ashes.

While many believe the contest commenced in 1882 with the burning of a bail and writing of an obituary in the Sporting Times following what many English followers considered to be a below-par performance in a one-Test series, this was the ninth match between the two teams, the first in 1877.

Perhaps, it was the manner of England’s fourth-innings capitulation that caused so much soul-searching. Having dismissed Australia for 122, England were chasing a meagre total of only 85. However, fast-bowler Frad Spofforth’s burst of four wickets for only two runs left England eight runs short of victory.

While Captain Bligh promised to regain the Ashes on England’s subsequent tour to Australia in 1882-83, the phrase did not catch on, despite him keeping his promise, until 20 years later when Pelham Warner similarly met a promise to bring home the trophy.

The urn was presented to Lord Darnley by female members of Melbourne Cricket Club although was subsequently presented by his estate to the Marylebone Cricket Club in 1927. It has remained in their possession since, although it is not the official trophy although the two sides do now compete for a replica.

Besides the duration of the battles between these adversaries, it is the controversies, at times bitterness and legends created over the years that add special meaning to the Ashes.

Turning back the years there will be many who don’t follow cricket who will have heard of the 1932-33 Bodyline series while Don Bradman led the Australian Invincibles on a tour of England in 1948 where only a duck in his final Test at the Oval left him a career average of 99.94. In addition, Australia has white-washed England twice, in 1921 and more recently in 2005 under the ruthless Ricky Ponting. The Ashes were even featured in The Hitch-hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy!

Individual tales of superhuman performance litter Ashes history, from Jack Hobbs’ 662 series runs, through Len Hutton’s 364 at The Oval (leading England to a record total of 903 and winning margin of an innings and 578 runs), through to Jim Laker’s 19 wickets for 90 runs at Old Trafford in 1956 and Ian Botham’s undefeated 149 with England precariously placed at 135-7 in their second innings.

The Australians have better worked in pairs as demonstrated in the 1974-75 series when Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson shared 58 wickets between them.

Statistically, Australia has the edge. While they hold a marginal lead in series wins (31-30) from the 66 series completed, they dominate the total of Test victories (123-100).  The five drawn series have resulted in Australia retaining the Ashes on four occasions.

It is, therefore, perhaps unusual that this five-match Ashes series, commencing at Trent Bridge today, sees Australia arrive as underdogs – or even ‘no-hopers’ in some quarters.

I believe this to be a much more even contest. On their day this Australian side can beat anyone. They possess the firepower to score at a much faster rate than their opponents and the harder, flatter tracks being prepared in England this summer may play into their hands.

Captain Michael Clarke has an Ashes average of over 45 and has been improving, demonstrating his ability to score ‘Daddy’ hundreds and single-handedly take the match away from opponents.

Opener Shane Watson’s average exceeds his skipper’s while wicket-keeper Brad Haddin provides solid performances with bat and gloves.

The difficulty for Australia comes in who to select from their remaining batsmen. David Warner is one of the most naturally gifted batsmen in the world who strikes the ball cleanly and regularly. The debate concerning his inclusion, or otherwise, emanates from the distorted balance he brings when playing alongside Watson.

I believe he is worth the risk. The balance should come from Chris Rogers and Ed Cowan, the latter having prepared for several months with Notts whose home ground is the notoriously difficult batting venue of Trent Bridge (used in Ashes contests since 1899). Usman Khawaja is also a useful batsman who would provide obstinacy. 

With ball in hand they can call on the locomotive pace of James Pattinson (whose elder brother, Darren, also played for Notts and represented England) and Peter Siddle. Swing-friendly conditions will also favour Mitchell Starc and Ryan Harris. The doubts surround their ability to perform consistently while also remaining free from injury.

However, injuries also concern England with both Broad and Swann entering the series carrying long-term injuries.

While Swann would be a major loss, England boasts greater strength-in-depth. Their batting line-up is far more circumspect and should be harder to dislodge although their first-innings totals have been dropping alarmingly since these two sides last met.

Initially, there is little to choose between the pace attacks. I believe England has the edge when it comes to reverse-swing bowling which should come into play later in the game. The main difference comes in the spin department where Swann will relish bowling in the rough created by Australia’s left-arm bowlers, particularly at their leading left-handed batsmen.

It’s a long five-Test series that will witness Durham’s Chester-le-Street ground being used for the first time as an Ashes venue. The series looks even longer when you consider the re-match in Australia has been brought forward a year to avoid clashing with the cricket World Cup.

l Abu’s Prediction – Australia will make life difficult and post some large, match-winning totals. There will also be occasions on which their bowlers will rip through the England line-up. However, I believe England can bring greater consistency, building pressure and have a superior squad. Yet when they do win, it’s rarely by much. A narrow England win.