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England don't need to panic just yet

William L new author
Roar Rookie
6th August, 2019
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William L new author
Roar Rookie
6th August, 2019
16

While there are a number of worrying signs for England, they need not go into crisis mode just yet.

First of all, the first Test wasn’t played on a typical English (let alone Edgbaston) pitch. Day 5 in this match resembled Day 5 in Mumbai or Galle more than somewhere in the UK. Throughout the match, there was little movement for the seamers and a great deal of spin.

England are not equipped to win in these sorts of conditions especially when James Anderson goes down after bowling four overs and Ben Stokes is forced to carry out a heavier workload.

Then taking into account the sheer disappointment that was Moeen Ali, you have a recipe for disaster.

If England prepare green, seaming wickets throughout the remainder of the series, they stand a great chance of regaining the Ashes because the Aussie batsmen looked an absolute mess when the ball was swinging – barring the brilliance of Steve Smith.

I would be surprised if any of the next four pitches are as flat and slow as the one that we saw at Edgbaston.

Australia in recent times have also developed a habit in away series of starting strongly before fading away throughout and losing comprehensively. A recent example includes Australia thrashing India by 333 runs in Pune, before losing two out of the three remaining games and ultimately losing the series 2-1.

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During the series against South Africa, the Aussies won the first Test in Durban before losing the series 3-1.

Even in the UAE, against Pakistan, Australia snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat first up, before copping a 373-run flogging.

The combination of a likely change in approach from the English groundsmen and Australia’s track record of fading away during overseas tours, means England may not be in as bad a position as some may think.

The home side will also make changes to the XI that lost at Edgbaston with Anderson’s return date unknown and Ali’s position in the side seeming untenable after his horror show with bat and ball.

While Anderson is a huge omission, Jofra Archer should be an adequate replacement for the 575-wicket veteran and his extra pace will add variety to a one-dimensional attack.

Ali is clearly lacking confidence and self-belief, so brining in Jack Leach seems sensible, as he will hold up an end – he may just be England’s solution to the Steve Smith conundrum.

Smith averages 34.9 against left-arm spin, which is nearly 30 runs shy of his Test average, and may just be a slight chink in the Bradman-esque batsman’s armour.

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But, once again, this is Smith, so don’t be surprised if he piles on the runs again next week.

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Here is an ideal XI for England going into Lord’s:

1. Rory Burns
2. Jason Roy
3. Joe Root
4. Joe Denly
5. Ben Stokes
6. Jos Buttler
7. Jonny Bairstow
8. Chris Woakes
9. Jofra Archer
10. Stuart Broad
11. Jack Leach

That said, Australia are in the best possible position they could’ve hoped for and will take some beating.

All hope is not lost for England, but don’t be surprised if this is a long and embarrassing six weeks for the hosts either.

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