Cricket: Australia might not be as bad they are made out to be

A new team-environment

The first positive sign of change post Darren Lehmann’s appointment was Shane Watson speaking out openly. Lehmann stated publicly that Watson would be opening the batting in the Ashes and that is where Watson loves batting the most. Contrary to how Michael Clarke and management had used him post Ponting stepping down as captain, Watson will return to opening. The tension in the dressing room seems to have eased out when it concerns Watson and it showed in his batting when Australia took on Somerset in the first practice game of the tour; he scored 90 in 94 balls. The other Australian batsmen too have scored some runs and will feel confident in facing up against the Englishmen in similar conditions. The bowlers too – Pattinson and Starc in particular – have shown signs of being well-prepared for the series, based on their performances in the tour game.