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This is a ‘new’ England we’re being told ahead of today’s first Ashes Test. There’s no doubt England’s ODI side has been overhauled and is more exciting, but has its Test team changed that much?
The upcoming five Tests will offer a comprehensive answer to that question. On the evidence of England’s last two series, though, ideas of a brave, brash England could be a tad premature.
FIRST ASHES TEST – FULL SCOREBOARD
An aggressive England would be brilliant for world cricket, as was demonstrated during their recently-completed ODI series against New Zealand.
The home side fielded a drastically different line-up from the one which flopped at the World Cup, playing with a lack of fear and restraint. They went slog-for-slog with the cavalier Kiwis and helped create a wonderful spectacle which beguiled the English crowds, media and public.
The English players clearly revelled in the surge of attention and adulation. Their efforts have created the narrative of a ‘new’ England.
It also helped draw focus away from the Test team’s laboured efforts against the West Indies and New Zealand.
Suddenly, the ‘new’ England tag is being extended to the Test team. Some cricket pundits have suggested Australia will be tackling a far more offensive opponent this Ashes.
Granted, England were so dour over the past two series that it seems they surely must be more expansive this time. Yet it remains to be seen whether England will try to force the pace consistently in such a big series or whether they will revert to the safety-first cricket which skipper Alastair Cook favours.
Certainly, their top order looks unlikely to maintain a swift run rate against the Australian attack. Cook has found fine form yet remains a dawdling batsman who rarely dominates bowlers. His new opening partner Adam Lyth is known as a more forceful batsman but has just two Tests under his belt.
First drop Gary Ballance is a defence-oriented player even at his best, and enters the series having averaged 10 with the bat in six Test innings against the strong attacks of New Zealand and Australia.
At four, Ian Bell is amid a form trough which extends almost two years, during which time he has averaged just 30 in Tests.
It is not until England’s middle order that they find some real impetus, in the form of prolific youngster Joe Root, showman all-rounder Ben Stokes, and keeper-batsman Jos Buttler.
This trio justify the ‘new’ England tag – each has the ability to overwhelm bowlers and quickly swing the course of a match. The hosts will feel these three players can cow the Australian bowlers. Together, they represent a major threat to the tourists.
Australia will hope that if they manage to shackle England’s sleepy top order, this will heap pressure on Root, Stokes and Buttler to manufacture momentum. This in turn could prompt that influential trio to play some overly adventurous shots early in their innings.
Meanwhile, England will hope that their top four can graft the team into a solid position from which their gifted middle order can launch.
Should they do so with regularity, Australia will find themselves battling to retain the Ashes.
England’s tactics will be fascinating to monitor over the coming five Tests. Their fans will be willing them to play with the kind of refreshing freedom seen during the recent ODIs.
Australia will be keen to see their opponents revert to bad habits and try to grind their way through the series. This ‘old’ England would represent a far less dangerous foe.