As the English media revel in the success of their latest ‘golden generation’, the finger pointing has started in Australia amidst reports of backroom unrest, a disruptive WAG presence and Michael Clarke’s retirement.
With talks of a post-Ashes clean-out, where to next?
The Oval
Avoiding defeat in the fifth Test at The Oval would be a good place to start. A 4-1 series win for England would see them leapfrog Australia into second place in the official ICC World Test rankings.
Despite recent criticisms of the ICC point system, maintaining second place offers Australia some comfort psychologically. Upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, New Zealand and the West Indies provide an opportunity for the baggy greens to rebuild their team, while cementing themselves as one of the best in the world again.
Steve Smith will be taking no games for granted, looking to stamp his authority on a new era of Australian cricket as the country’s 45th Test captain.
Celebrating Clarke
Michael Clarke’s career has continually split opinion, so it comes as no surprise that his leadership was called into question again by former teammates following his retirement announcement.
It would be a shame to let such criticisms blight a highly successful career:
Fresh faces
The ODI series set to take place only days after The Oval Test provides an opportunity for some fresh faces to book their seat for the Bangladesh tour.
Joe Burns is set to feature with the bat after a recent ton for Australia A, while Glenn Maxwell has also been in great form for Yorkshire.
Exciting youngsters Pat Cummins, James Pattinson, Gurinder Sandhu and Nathan Coulter-Nile also look set to make appearances with the ball, with the Ashes’ frontline bowlers to be rested.
Don’t panic
Australia still have a formidable pool of bowling options at their disposal. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have bright futures ahead of them, while Mitch Johnson and Nathan Lyon still have major roles to play on the pitch, as well as to help nurture the next batch of Australian talent.
Steve Smith is still the prodigious talent people claimed he was after Lord’s, and he will recapture his form sooner rather than later.
David Warner remains as dangerous at the top of the order as ever. He’s got that ability to take a game away from the opposition.
Players knocking on the door of the Test team – Khwaja, Burns, Maxwell, Cummins and Pattinson – already have experience playing international cricket.
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