England's attack holds the key to the Ashes. But are they up to it?

With all the ‘external noise’ as England Skipper Joe Root calls it, you would ponder if Australian cricket had gone excitedly troppo before even a ball had been bowled.

One would think England were raging favourites given all the media buzz.

Cricket Australia must have hired the NSW Origin Blues media trainers, given the chaos and stupidity, both uttered and committed, from selectors down about the Aussie XI.

We know the Blues story. Trash the Maroons in the press, confusion at the selection table, build up expectation, then blow an almighty gasket come game time. Nathan Lyon needs special mention here.

He’s a Blues certainty in 2018, given his comments.

As for the ‘baggy greens’ some quiet reflection is required, internally at least.

One might want to look at England’s attack. England have selected Stu Broad, Jimmy Anderson, Chris Woakes, Mo Ali and Jake Ball.

On closer inspection, their ‘away’ form is less than impressive

Let’s start with Broad.

A world-class bowler but on Australian soil he averages 32. Last series in Oz, he took 21 wickets at 27. However, the Gabba seems the only place he seems lively. He has taken nine wickets at 25 a piece in Brisbane. The rest of the country is a wasteland in the low to mid 30’s

Put simply, Broad must win the Test in Brisbane for England to have a chance.

His new ball buddy in James Anderson is looking to erase an awful 2013-14 tour taking 14 wickets at 43 a piece. Overall he averages 38 in Australia with no five wicket hauls at all.

Boof Lehmann’s advice will be simple. Blunt Broad in Brisbane and the series is ours.

England’s other bowling options rely on spinner Moeen Ali. His 2017 record looks dangerous with 30 wickets at 21 a piece.

History tells us though that not many foreign spinners have done well in Australia. His countryman, Graeme Swann, a world-class spinner, took only seven wickets at 80 last tour.

Chris Woakes and Jake Ball are selected on pure hope alone. One suspects England have panicked looking Australia’s attack. Craig Overton, at 6”5′ should have been picked. Ball has been picked having bowled only 22 balls ‘in-anger’ on tour after an early injury.

It will be down to Alastair Cook, Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow to lead the way. Either Cook or Root must have a massive series with the bat, as England’s middle order looks very shaky.

Broad and company must win in either the Gabba Test or the Pink-ball Test in Adelaide, which Anderson and Woakes will look forward to.

A 1-nil lead for England is a must heading to Perth for the third Test.

Otherwise, it will be a long tour for captain Root and his merry men. For as every captain knows, you must bowl a team out twice to win.

But without the tricks of the ‘Duke’ ball, England need a miracle in this long hot Australian summer.