The Ashes - History and preview to the 2013 series

The rest of the batting line-up is short of experience and quality, and the return of Brad Haddin may give them much needed experience in the middle. However, their fast bowling looks great as they boast of some impressive talents like Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson, the hard-working Peter Siddle, while the return of the wily Ryan Harris after an injury layoff could be a shot in the arm for the once-mighty tourists. Having said that, they have limited spin options as they are yet to produce a quality spinner since the retirement of Shane Warne and Stuart McGill. Nathan Lyon is the best spinner they have, but after him, there is no one. There are plenty of youngsters and Ashes first-timers in the side, and they will have to play out of their skin to win the series and take the urn back home. They have also been uncharacteristically un-aggressive of late and small chatter here and there does not make up for the aggressiveness of their world-beating predecessors. Take into consideration their whitewash in India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as well as England’s present Test form, and everything looks downhill for the young Australians.

Nothing much to say about England apart from the fact that they look settled and battle-ready. Boasting of players like skipper Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott and the imminent return of Kevin Pietersen, their batting line-up looks impressive, if not intimidating. Add in the talented Joe Root and wicket-keeper Matt Prior, and the reliable Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann down the order, and the line-up suddenly starts looking more impressive. The presence of James Anderson, Broad, Swann and Tim Bresnan/Steven Finn as the 3^rd seamer makes their bowling line-up balanced and imposing. Having defeated India in a Test series in India for the first time in 28 years, Cooks’ men escaped with a drawn series in New Zealand, only to beat them 2-0 in the return series at home. It’s not for nothing they are the second best Test team in the world, and will enter the Ashes as firm favorites.

Australia may not be at their best but one cannot expect them to lose all 5 matches of the series. Yes, they were whitewashed by India; but with Ashes being such a long tour, they will improve at some point and may end up winning a match or two. They may end up drawing the series or better yet, pull a rabbit out of their hat and surprise their hosts by winning it all. However, England would still start as favorites, and I see them winning a closely fought series 2-1.

The return series in Australia is in November, and much of what happens there could depend on the outcome of this series. The mind games have already started, with former England captain David Gower publicly questioning Australian cricket culture. Let’s see how the Aussies reply, both verbally and on the field. Battle lines have been drawn for what could be a roller-coaster ride. As fans from both sides brace themselves for what means the world to them – The Ashes – I’ll sum up the emotions, by quoting the late Douglas Jardine, the former England captain and the brain behind Bodyline:

“I’ve not travelled 6,000 miles to make friends. I’m here to win the Ashes”