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With just over a week until the first Test kicks off in Cardiff, the war of words has begun. The usual suspects began proceedings, with Graeme Swann and now Shane Warne getting in on the act.
Not surprisingly, Swann went for Steve Smith, the cornerstone upon which Australia has built its innings in the last 18 months.
With Swann it seems more personal. Having been beaten to a pulp in his last series by the Aussies and meekly falling on his sword after the third Test in Adelaide, he has found a way to insert himself in the build-up to the upcoming series.
Questioning Smith’s technique against the swinging Duke ball and saying he hasn’t got the technique and resilience of former Australian Test stars won’t have caused too many sleepless nights for the unflappable Aussie.
When asked about Swann, Smith deadpanned his answers with the usual non commitment of the media-savvy sportsmen and women of today. However it’s more likely that the opinion of a man he took out of the game last year doesn’t mean all that much to the guy affectionately known as ‘Smudge’.
Warne, never too far away from the action, then suggested the Ashes will be different from the recent England vs New Zealand series praised by so many for its sportsmanship.
Not unlike Swann, Warne also had a go at one of the team’s main ingredients in Jimmy Anderson, suggesting that he might be in for some more heat, especially when he comes out to bat.
While not too much should be made of the comments by the former players, it will provide the media with some ammo in the build-up to what already promises to be an enthralling series. And with both men involved in commentary – Warne with Sky Sports and Swann with the BBC’s Test Match Special – one can expect the banter from the former spinners to continue.
Nor have things changed with Glenn McGrath, who is predicting another 5-0 series whitewash. The man who had so much success over England doesn’t think too much will change this time around, with Smith and Michael Clarke to lead Australia to victory.
New England coach Trevor Bayliss has been asked how he’ll plan for a series against not only his home country but also players of whom he has coached – and in Clarke’s case nurtured from a young age. In typical Bayliss manner he unemotionally batted away the loaded questions.
With Clarke more focused than ever to get a long-awaited series win in England, Smith his usual restrained self, David Warner appearing to have tempered his previous aggressive tendencies, and a fast-bowling unit far too concerned on winning a spot in the side, things are more subdued than usual this close to an Ashes battle.
However once the action commences on July 8 it will be all guns blazing, as Australia under Clarke’s aggressive captaincy try to impose themselves from the opening exchanges.
Bayliss may have England play more attacking cricket, brought about from his coaching career which has included stints for a couple of T20 domestic sides. A pub scuffle will not be needed to draw interest this time around, as both teams have scores to settle, Australia having not won in England since 2001 and England having been dismantled last time around.
Either way it will be a long wait for the loser as the next series is scheduled for the 2017-18 Australian summer.
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