Australia - An Ashes revival?

Will Clarke and Lehmann be able to lead an Aussie revival?

As arch-rivals England and Australia prepare to do battle over the historic urn, the eyes of the cricketing world will on be the new Aussie coach Darren Lehmann and his tormented souls, who have experienced torrid times both on and off the field in last few months. Having been outplayed (and whitewashed) in India followed by the debacle that was the 2013 Champions Trophy, most fans predicted a complete rout of the tourists in the forthcoming Ashes. But despite England holding all the aces and going in as favourites, is it really going to be that easy for them?

Not too long ago, Australia toured India to face the hosts who had just lost their first home Test series to England in 28 years. Having regained the trophy on home soil in a whitewash of their own, the men from Down Under were expected to at least put up a fight against the struggling world champions in their own den.

However, in a series dominated by Indian youngsters, the once-mighty Australians surrendered meekly to lose the trophy they had won just about a year and half back. Skipper Michael Clarke emerged as the only century maker for his team throughout the series. Not to be forgotten is the infamous “Homework-Gate”, which is said to have created deep divisions within the team.

With their backs against the wall, followed the last-ever ICC Champions Trophy that Clarke missed due to the recurrence of a back injury despite being in the squad, the team had to be led by the inexperienced George Bailey and finished the tournament at the bottom of their group without a single win to their name. The David Warner saga added to their woes.

Compounding their misery were the fitness clouds over captain Clarke; and the sacking of coach Mickey Arthur just ahead of the Ashes was the final nail in their coffin. The team was in complete disarray and it looked all over for the Aussies before it even started.

However, some developments have taken place in the last few days that make me believe that despite their recent troubles, Australia may spring up a surprise or two.

The appointment of Darren “Boof” Lehmann as Arthur’s successor could lead to bigger things. Despite having a successful coaching resume, Mickey Arthur always remained a foreigner to Australia’s cricketing culture. Also his disciplinary methods in ‘Homework-Gate’ found few takers.

Lehmann, on the other hand, brings to the table a winning mind set, having been a part of Australia’s golden generation, familiarity with Australian cricket culture and successful coaching stints with Deccan Chargers, Kings XI Punjab, Western Australia Warriors and Australia A. He has taken the load off Clarke’s shoulders and seems to have brought back the hitherto missing energy to the Australian squad.

Michael Clarke has also returned following an injury-forced absence from the Champions Trophy. Having taken time off to heal his back, he looks better prepared to lead his wards. Also, stepping down as the national selector was a good decision on his part as it relieves him of a huge burden. If his ton in the second warm-up match against Worcestershire is any indication, then Pup may well be ready to break a few batting records.

The batting line-up also looks settled for the moment. Shane Watson, the only other world-class player in the squad, is yet to leave an impression in Tests. But he also has solid knocks to his name in the warm-up games, including a century against Worcestershire.

Australian supporters will be hoping for Shane Watson to find form in the Ashes

Back in the side after 5 years, Chris Rogers has accumulated plenty of runs in both Australian domestic circuit and county cricket. He seems to be on his way to partner Watson at the top of batting order.

The oft-ridiculed Phil Hughes and Steve Smith have almost cemented their berths for at least the first Test. With impressive performances for Australia A, Smith was brought in initially as a cover for Clarke, but now may be all set for his first Ashes Test in England.

However, the failures of Ed Cowan and Usman Khawaja and lack of match preparation for “punch-happy” David Warner seems to have left the no. 5 spot open. If someone could come in at 5 and score few useful runs, then the problem would get sorted out, at least for the time being.

On the bowling front, Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson and Shane Watson are all certainties, with Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris, Jackson Bird and James Faulkner all in the running for a spot. Siddle, the workhorse, and Bird, the young gun, seem to be ahead of Harris, who has just returned from a long injury lay-off, and Faulkner, a useful bat down the order.

On the spin bowling front, young Ashton Agar could make his Ashes debut and partner fellow Ashes debutant Nathan Lyon, with Smith and Clarke chipping in with few overs of their own. Pakistan-born Fawad Ahmed seems to be out of favour at present.

However, the truth is that despite a win over Somerset and draw against Worcestershire, playing against the English national team will be a different cup of tea altogether for the Australians. However, also true is the fact that scoring 100s and 50s against two county sides may not mean too much in the long run, but may have done a world of confidence to the Aussie batsmen.

On the other hand, the bowlers may have been unable to bowl their opponents out in the second warm-up game, but they have been more impressive than their batsmen in recent times, even with a bat in their hands.

I may be looking too much into the warm-ups, but now it seems that a series that was predicted to be totally one-sided even before it started may well turn out to be a humdinger. What happens in England may well give us a preview of what may happen in the return series later this year Down Under.

Can the Aussies rise from the Ashes? We’ll find out soon.