Chris O'Keefe
The scars of an Ashes whitewash may still resonate with certain English fans and even players perhaps. However, those scars must be forgotten and fast with another Ashes battle starting to appear on the horizon.
Now before you respond with jokes about panicking or overreaction on my behalf. I leave you with this thought. Around 18 months before the 2005 Ashes, England’s side began to settle down at this point. The effect of a settled side was astounding as presided over their best run in test cricket as they went unbeaten through three series and won away in South Africa ahead of the vaunted Ashes summer.
A first win in the West Indies was emphatic, so much so that England were only prevented from a first Caribbean whitewash by a world record knock from some guy named Lara. It really was a devastating performance. England were blessed in Simon Jones, Matthew Hoggard, Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff and a tidy spinner in Ashley Giles. Those were heady days and an attack to fear.
However, England can create their next attack to strike fear into any opponent and this winter’s tests in Sri Lanka and New Zealand provide a perfect platform. Stuart Broad, James Anderson, hopefully a resurgent Steve Harmison can give England some potency. Honestly though, England have missed the regular threat in line and length of Matthew Hoggard and Simon Jones. Flintoff intimidates with bat and ball when he isn’t on the operating table.
Monty Panesar could have a tour to remember in Sri Lanka on pitches that are likely to spin. He already has a reputation as a spinner of great quality. If he can compete with Muttiah Muralitharan, himself with an eye on becoming the highest wicket taker of all time, will cement his reputation as a world-class spinner that has truly arrived.
Where England will arguably need to improve is in the batting. On paper, it looks like the garden is rosy but in losing to India, there was evidence of vulnerability in the batting order. Andrew Strauss appears to have already bitten the bullet. Others could follow if they are not careful.
However, if England’s batsmen do perform they have a chance (that sounds like an obvious answer) especially if they can negate the threat of Muralitharan (easier said than done). Sri Lanka’s pace attack has been chopped and changed as new coach Trevor Bayliss to find a formula that works. With that insecurity about choosing pace bowlers, Peter Moores may find an area of exploitation.
Overall, it is a mighty task that awaits England. However, this is a side that has experienced the hardest fought victories before and have the capabilities to repeat such feats. This is a vital 18 month period to come with clashes home and away against New Zealand, South Africa at home before touring India and the Caribbean. England and Peter Moores need to start the preparation now in order to have a settled side of quality once more. Then, and only then, perhaps can we dream of avenging scars of last winter!
Now before you respond with jokes about panicking or overreaction on my behalf. I leave you with this thought. Around 18 months before the 2005 Ashes, England’s side began to settle down at this point. The effect of a settled side was astounding as presided over their best run in test cricket as they went unbeaten through three series and won away in South Africa ahead of the vaunted Ashes summer.
A first win in the West Indies was emphatic, so much so that England were only prevented from a first Caribbean whitewash by a world record knock from some guy named Lara. It really was a devastating performance. England were blessed in Simon Jones, Matthew Hoggard, Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff and a tidy spinner in Ashley Giles. Those were heady days and an attack to fear.
However, England can create their next attack to strike fear into any opponent and this winter’s tests in Sri Lanka and New Zealand provide a perfect platform. Stuart Broad, James Anderson, hopefully a resurgent Steve Harmison can give England some potency. Honestly though, England have missed the regular threat in line and length of Matthew Hoggard and Simon Jones. Flintoff intimidates with bat and ball when he isn’t on the operating table.
Monty Panesar could have a tour to remember in Sri Lanka on pitches that are likely to spin. He already has a reputation as a spinner of great quality. If he can compete with Muttiah Muralitharan, himself with an eye on becoming the highest wicket taker of all time, will cement his reputation as a world-class spinner that has truly arrived.
Where England will arguably need to improve is in the batting. On paper, it looks like the garden is rosy but in losing to India, there was evidence of vulnerability in the batting order. Andrew Strauss appears to have already bitten the bullet. Others could follow if they are not careful.
However, if England’s batsmen do perform they have a chance (that sounds like an obvious answer) especially if they can negate the threat of Muralitharan (easier said than done). Sri Lanka’s pace attack has been chopped and changed as new coach Trevor Bayliss to find a formula that works. With that insecurity about choosing pace bowlers, Peter Moores may find an area of exploitation.
Overall, it is a mighty task that awaits England. However, this is a side that has experienced the hardest fought victories before and have the capabilities to repeat such feats. This is a vital 18 month period to come with clashes home and away against New Zealand, South Africa at home before touring India and the Caribbean. England and Peter Moores need to start the preparation now in order to have a settled side of quality once more. Then, and only then, perhaps can we dream of avenging scars of last winter!
