With the World Cup in all its triumph, tragedy and controversy over, the focus now turns to what can be described as the real pinnacle of cricket, at least in Australia and England.
The Ashes is now less than two weeks away, and selection talk is starting to come to the forefront of the minds of every Aussie with an opinion. Suddenly, it seems everyone is a cricketing expert.
However, for some with a longer-term memory, the visions of South Africa 2018 are still all too clear. A year and a half later, the Aussies are gearing up for what could be the most decisive Test series in living memory, if not all of history.
Since the infamous events in South Africa, Australia’s Test match results have consisted of a 1-0 loss to Pakistan in a two-game series, a 2-1 loss to India in a four-match series at home and a 2-0 series sweep of Sri Lanka. The win against Sri Lanka definitely showed promise, however, the overall vibe of Test cricket in Australia in the Tim Paine era has been one of disappointment.
This was to be expected with arguably three of our best players out with suspensions, however, this excuse won’t work anymore. England are fresh off their World Cup win and will be full of confidence in their home conditions. However, the Aussies seem to be holding their own in the warm-ups and around the county circuit.
Peter Siddle has taken 34 wickets in 15 innings at an average of 20.08 playing for the table-topping Essex in Division 1. Marnus Labuschagne has scored 1114 runs in 18 innings at an average of 65.52 playing for Glamorgan in Division 2. Pending selection, it seems some Aussies have been able to adapt to the English conditions rather well.
This should give us Aussies some confidence moving into the Ashes. This series is vitally important to the revival of Australia as not just a cricketing nation, but a cricket-loving nation. The fallout from South Africa can still be found today as seen by the constant jeering of Steve Smith and David Warner in the World Cup.
However, a strong Ashes performance and a series win would not only put a zip on some English supporters with big mouths, but it could also kick start and reinvigorate the growth of cricket in Australia. In 2017, cricket is only the tenth most played sport in Australia according to the Australian government AusPlay survey.
This Ashes series has the capability to recapture a love of cricket. I dare to say, a strong series win could put the memories of those fateful days in South Africa to bed for good.
With the Big Bash tournament and a full home summer ahead, the boys in England are playing for more than some small perfume container trophy. They’re playing for the state of cricket in Australia. Up the Aussies!
Lochlan Prentice
Roar Rookie
Thanks for your thoughts, Paul As long as the Aussies put up their best effort I'm sure we can all be proud of them. A good all-round effort would surely give the team some confidence and backing for the home summer.
Lochlan Prentice
Roar Rookie
My thoughts exactly, Justin
Lochlan Prentice
Roar Rookie
Cheers mate
Neel
Roar Guru
Well done on your first article. Keep up the good work and I will be looking forward to reading more articles from you mate.
Justin Mahon
Guest
Ouch ...... https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/caught-out-cricket-s-inflated-playing-numbers-revealed-20190720-p5292s.html
Paul
Roar Guru
hi Lochlan, always good to see someone throwing up a new article for us all the consider. Any Ashes series is going to be important and this one is no different. I agree it's even more so for Australian cricket following the South African fiasco, but I also feel Australian cricket has been hugely redeemed already by the performance of the ODI side and the general demeanor of the guys in question, Smith & Warner . Both have batted very well so far and both have managed the heckling and media attention with a great deal of outward poise. The important thing now is not necessarily to win the Ashes, but to give it a bloody good try. We both know any game of cricket can be changed by an umpires decision, or one bad session, so if we lose the series but have clearly given it our best.... well, we've been beaten by a better side. I'm equally unconcerned about participation rates based on Ausplay numbers. I had a look at the 2019 figures and cricket ranks 12th, behind things like walking, bush walking, golf, soccer and basketball. It's still clearly the most popular organized team summer sport in Australia, but as you say, a win in the Ashes would certainly help boost the game's popularity.
Paul
Roar Guru
I actually hope he does do some damage Lochlan, just as long as he's the lone wolf and the other English bowlers struggle. Anderson in the right conditions is clearly the best bowler of his type in world cricket, but if conditions suit him, they should also suit the Australian attack. The onus is on our guys to learn to play him by playing composed cricket, batting within themselves against him and not trying to many flashy shots. Once he's seen off, get stuck into the other bowlers.
Lochlan Prentice
Roar Rookie
For the Aussie's sake, I hope he doesn't do too much damage!
English twizz
Guest
Praying for a good series nothing better and probably be Jimmy's last home ashes and he's been on fire this year at 30 wickets on a ave of 9. And the useing older Dukes for the ashes for better swing