The Ashes 2013: Five things Australia needs to do to recapture the Ashes

The most adulated tournament in the cricket annals – the Ashes – is about to begin. With five Test matches to be played in England, the spectators are surely in for a treat. While all the cricket fans are gearing up to witness this spectacle, choosing their sides and adversaries, both teams have a lot at stake to gain and lose. A few years back, the Ashes was reduced to a one-sided affair thanks to the great Australian team of the 1990s. They basked in the glory of being the Ashes winners for 16 long years, from 1989 to 2005. However, the English regained the Ashes at home in 2005 thanks to some wonderful knocks by Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff and co. with the bat, and Steve Harmison and co. with the ball. Since then, the Australian stronghold on the cup has been loosening. The greats of the legendary Australian team have retired from all forms of the game, and Cricket Australia has struggled, and apparently failed miserably, to infuse the right replacements. The present Australian team looks languid and absolutely out of sorts compared to the English team which is acclaimed to be the best in the world right now. Australia needs to do many things to recapture the cup that they lost to England two years ago at home.

Stop imitating, start innovating

The current Australian squad needs to work on their strengths rather than try to replicate their predecessors

The biggest mistake being committed by the current Australian team is trying to imitate their precursors. The newcomers will have to emerge from the shadows of their former greats, and rely more on their instincts rather than just trying to replicate what their predecessors did on the field. The pressure on them is enormous for sure, but to be moulded into a good team you need to back your strengths and soak in pressure. The Australian think tank should alter their game plan according to the strengths they currently possess, rather than just trying to acclimatize or fit youngsters into the roles played by their former greats. This is bound to be counter-productive, as it might demand something from the youngster which he cannot provide. Hence, it is very important for Darren Lehman to chalk out new plans and strategies for this team, which is entirely different both in terms of talent as well as style of play from the previous teams the Aussies are used to seeing. The Australians should follow the Indians’ example in this regard.

Michael Clarke needs to bat up the order

Clarke should be playing at no. 3

The best current Australian batsman in the longest version of the game is, without a doubt, Michael Clarke. He is one batsman who can accrue runs quickly when needed, as well as block the ball and hang in there during adversities. For any team to perform well in Test cricket, its best batsmen should be batting up the order with the opportunity to face more deliveries and settle down. Clarke is certainly the kind of a player who can really debilitate the bowlers once he gets his eye in. So the ideal position for him to bat would be No.3. The skipper needs to think aggressively and promote himself up the order rather than resorting to come in at No.5 to perform damage control.

Nathan Lyon needs to roar

Lyon has to come to the fore for Australia to have any chance

The NSW-born spinner needs to step up to the occasion. A quality spinner in your ranks is a must if a Test victory against the English team is needed. Nathan Lyon certainly has that quality and talent, but has failed to showcase it and make an impact in the international arena. In addition to him, the Aussies might need another spinner or a slow bowler and Clarke can fill this void. But the central role in the spin department must be handled effectively by Lyon, and this will turn out to be a vital factor for Australia. The English are still vulnerable to spin even in their own backyard, which was elicited by the Indian team in the recent Champions Trophy final.

David Warner, please defend!

Warner needs to curb his attacking instincts at the start of the innings

The hotheaded David Warner must play sensible cricket rather than playing foolishly. He is a player who can char any opposition with his destructive style of play. But this is Test cricket, and the depredation should be planned and executed at the correct time. Warner needs to get his eye in and settle down for the first few overs, and then resort to his natural style of playing extravagant strokes. He will be the most effective Australian batsman if he can play for long with his batting style. This is how destructive players like Gayle and Sehwag have been successful in afflicting great damage and destroying the opposition in Test cricket.

All-rounder in the middle order

Steve Smith can be a useful addition to the Australian side

In addition to Shane Watson, the addition of another all-rounder in the middle order would serve as a useful adjunct to the team in all the departments. Young Steve Smith can be tried as an all-rounder in the team, and his spinning abilities might also be a useful for the Aussies. His explosive batting needs no introduction, and he can play cameos and quickfire innings if required. However, his ability to play the long innings is yet to be tested.

In addition to these five important things, the Australians need to get their basics right. Getting the prized wickets wicket of Cook and Trott early can help greatly, and the talented seamers need to perform this job.