An Ashes series like no other: let the hostilities, or even the respect, begin
(Clockwise from top left): Ben Stokes, Mark Wood, Joe Root, Pat Cummins and Steve Smith. Composite: Reuters, Getty, AP
Old adversaries meet against a backdrop of scandals that have left both their reputations in tatters for a series that looked like it might never happen
It is the Ashes series that flirted with postponement but, barring unexpected late hiccups or early rain, the world’s highest ranked bowler and batsman, Pat Cummins and Joe Root, will lead their teams out to a packed Gabba on Wednesday morning to begin the latest chapter in Test cricket’s most storied rivalry.
“There’s Test cricket and then there’s Ashes cricket,” Root proclaimed, among the wave of pre-series interviews in which he and Cummins, the nascent home captain, have featured during a buildup period of little actual cricket. While Australia’s recent T20 World Cup victory overseas did not penetrate the zeitgeist, their public have woken up for the old enemy’s arrival and the longest format’s return after a year of remarkable patience. Both captains have smiled in the main, Root comfortably engaging with the notion that a tenure of 56 Tests and an English record 27 wins will now be defined by the next six weeks.
Six sublime centuries and 1,455 runs this year mean the 30‑year‑old could seldom have wished for better personal form attempting this moonshot in a country of past demons. Come the fifth Test in the 2013-14 whitewash Root was dropped the one and only time as Mitchell Johnson vaporised a whole era and four years later he spent the last rites of his side’s schooling laid out in the SCG dressing room with an awful gastro bug. At least his stomach was spared the big hands on the podium that read 4-0.
Those results meant that when England named their squad in October there was little optimism to be found among followers, even if India did come from behind to triumph on Australian soil this year and broke a 32-year unbeaten record at the Gabba in the process. Perhaps this scepticism remains the case for many. Yet a succession of events has seemingly nudged England’s prospects up a touch, be it Ben Stokes announcing a return, the La Niña weather system that could assist Root’s predominantly fast‑medium attack when playing in the east, or the Tim Paine “sexting” scandal that forced Australia into a late change of captain.
Confirmation on Monday that England will not face the bouncier clay soil of Perth in the fifth Test but rather an alternative venue and a possible second pink-ball day-night match, adds to this sense of a clear underdog getting further breaks. More will be needed, not least for a side described by the returning Gabba crowd favourite Stuart Broad as “the worst prepared in the modern era” in terms of their warm-up cricket.
Ben Stokes (left) and Stuart Broad in a net session at the Gabba on Monday. Both are expected to return to the starting XI for Wednesday’s first Ashes Test. Photograph: Darren England/AAP
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If there is one lament shared on both sides of the Ashes divide it is that Jofra Archer is absent with an elbow injury. There will be no repeat of the searing spells witnessed during the drawn 2019 series in which Australia overcame their Stokes-inflicted Headingley meltdown and retained the urn they again defend.
Nevertheless Root should be able to unleash Mark Wood’s 90mph-plus pace for the first time in Australia, albeit selectively to maximise his impact. Having Stokes back is arguably the greatest plus: Root looked lost without the talismanic vice-captain alongside him four years ago to an extent that Ricky Ponting dubbed him a “little boy” and a nerve was struck.
This void was created by the Bristol street fight eight weeks before the tour and something on which Australia’s players then capitalised at the Gabba. Details of a “headbutt” by Jonny Bairstow on Cameron Bancroft in a Perth bar upon England’s arrival were teased over the stump mic in Brisbane but also kept deliberately vague thereafter to generate a distracting media storm.
Both teams have issues. Hoping that two of our young guns, namely Hameed and Pope, will step up for us. The toss could also have a big influence on things
Hate to say it but I think we should bowl first if we win the toss. Conditions might be at their optimum for bowling and the openers on both sides are going to be as nervous as kittens. One good ball is all it takes after all and that applies whether you are Harris, Hameed, root or Smith.
We hoping for raw pace? Some of broad or Anderson's experience would have been good, but think Robinson, wood, woakes and stokes (is hebowling much?) Isn't bad
You don't pick Leach and then choose to bat second. Starc is not great in Tests. Think we have a chance here (he said, before Hazlewood destroyed all his illusions inside twenty minutes)
We hoping for raw pace? Some of broad or Anderson's experience would have been good, but think Robinson, wood, woakes and stokes (is hebowling much?) Isn't bad
Yeah Woakes is there for the batting and Wood for the pace, so in a way it's Robinson they've picked over Broad which is a very big call IF Broad is fully fit.
We hoping for raw pace? Some of broad or Anderson's experience would have been good, but think Robinson, wood, woakes and stokes (is hebowling much?) Isn't bad
Yeah Woakes is there for the batting and Wood for the pace, so in a way it's Robinson they've picked over Broad which is a very big call IF Broad is fully fit.
Robinson is the first name on the bowling teamsheet. There is absolutely no question of him playing every single Test
Cant believe we're relying on Stokes to bowl more than he should.He hasnt played red ball cricket for ages.He cant be match fit surely? Silly leaving Broad out.Id of gone with all out pace and drop Leach.
You don't pick Leach and then choose to bat second. Starc is not great in Tests. Think we have a chance here (he said, before Hazlewood destroyed all his illusions inside twenty minutes)
But then you wouldn't have any choice in the matter if the Aussies won the toss. Effectively, you make the decision that much easier for them to bat if you left Leach out. In any event, if four seamers can't do it then I'm sure five won't do any better anyway.
We hoping for raw pace? Some of broad or Anderson's experience would have been good, but think Robinson, wood, woakes and stokes (is hebowling much?) Isn't bad
Yeah Woakes is there for the batting and Wood for the pace, so in a way it's Robinson they've picked over Broad which is a very big call IF Broad is fully fit.
Robinson is the first name on the bowling teamsheet. There is absolutely no question of him playing every single Test
He definitely deserves to be first pick at the moment. Robinson, Jimmy (if not rested) and after that mix and match the other 2
Comments
An Ashes series like no other: let the hostilities, or even the respect, begin
Old adversaries meet against a backdrop of scandals that have left both their reputations in tatters for a series that looked like it might never happen
It is the Ashes series that flirted with postponement but, barring unexpected late hiccups or early rain, the world’s highest ranked bowler and batsman, Pat Cummins and Joe Root, will lead their teams out to a packed Gabba on Wednesday morning to begin the latest chapter in Test cricket’s most storied rivalry.
“There’s Test cricket and then there’s Ashes cricket,” Root proclaimed, among the wave of pre-series interviews in which he and Cummins, the nascent home captain, have featured during a buildup period of little actual cricket. While Australia’s recent T20 World Cup victory overseas did not penetrate the zeitgeist, their public have woken up for the old enemy’s arrival and the longest format’s return after a year of remarkable patience. Both captains have smiled in the main, Root comfortably engaging with the notion that a tenure of 56 Tests and an English record 27 wins will now be defined by the next six weeks.
Six sublime centuries and 1,455 runs this year mean the 30‑year‑old could seldom have wished for better personal form attempting this moonshot in a country of past demons. Come the fifth Test in the 2013-14 whitewash Root was dropped the one and only time as Mitchell Johnson vaporised a whole era and four years later he spent the last rites of his side’s schooling laid out in the SCG dressing room with an awful gastro bug. At least his stomach was spared the big hands on the podium that read 4-0.
Those results meant that when England named their squad in October there was little optimism to be found among followers, even if India did come from behind to triumph on Australian soil this year and broke a 32-year unbeaten record at the Gabba in the process. Perhaps this scepticism remains the case for many. Yet a succession of events has seemingly nudged England’s prospects up a touch, be it Ben Stokes announcing a return, the La Niña weather system that could assist Root’s predominantly fast‑medium attack when playing in the east, or the Tim Paine “sexting” scandal that forced Australia into a late change of captain.
Confirmation on Monday that England will not face the bouncier clay soil of Perth in the fifth Test but rather an alternative venue and a possible second pink-ball day-night match, adds to this sense of a clear underdog getting further breaks. More will be needed, not least for a side described by the returning Gabba crowd favourite Stuart Broad as “the worst prepared in the modern era” in terms of their warm-up cricket.
If there is one lament shared on both sides of the Ashes divide it is that Jofra Archer is absent with an elbow injury. There will be no repeat of the searing spells witnessed during the drawn 2019 series in which Australia overcame their Stokes-inflicted Headingley meltdown and retained the urn they again defend.
Nevertheless Root should be able to unleash Mark Wood’s 90mph-plus pace for the first time in Australia, albeit selectively to maximise his impact. Having Stokes back is arguably the greatest plus: Root looked lost without the talismanic vice-captain alongside him four years ago to an extent that Ricky Ponting dubbed him a “little boy” and a nerve was struck.
This void was created by the Bristol street fight eight weeks before the tour and something on which Australia’s players then capitalised at the Gabba. Details of a “headbutt” by Jonny Bairstow on Cameron Bancroft in a Perth bar upon England’s arrival were teased over the stump mic in Brisbane but also kept deliberately vague thereafter to generate a distracting media storm.
Both teams have issues. Hoping that two of our young guns, namely Hameed and Pope, will step up for us. The toss could also have a big influence on things
Burns, Hameed, Malan, Root (c), Stokes, Pope, Buttler, Woakes, Robinson, Wood, Leach
5-0 Australia
Really want to lose the toss. Pressure on a new captain with a big call early on.