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Football? Get outta here! It’s time for cricket. The sun is shining (tempting fate), the tickets have been snapped up, the grounds will be full and there’s a mission to fulfil.
No, not beating the Aussies (again, at home, over 20 years since they won a series here), that can look after itself. No, it’s just the little matter of saving Test cricket for future generations that rests on the shoulders of Ben Stokes’ England team.
Australia will, of course, play a significant part in that little quest – capturing the hearts and minds of the sporting public, not just in these isles but round the world. Or at least as far as the sound of leather on willow generates a warm glow and a rush to the TV or radio.
Australia celebrate winning the Ashes in 2022. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)
That there is barely time for tired players to head towards yet another ice bath – it’s not that long ago, of course, that off-duty cricketers would be reaching for an ice bucket during their downtime or a Tiger Moth to fly in the case of David Gower – with five Tests crammed into 46 days just so that bastardised form of the game, The Hundred, can have centre stage in England in August.
Sadly, it’s a sign of the times with franchise cricket round the globe a real and present danger to the long-form game. Test Cricket is under threat. The Ashes has so much riding on it.
Here are the five big questions facing England.
There’s no disrespect intended – ok, inevitably given that lead-in, a little to New Zealand, Pakistan, Ireland, South Africa and, yes, India. But the Ashes is the real deal, the humdinger series that is almost 150 years old, the contest that entrances two nations, one that creates heroes and, of course, villains (step forward Douglas Jardine), to be played out in the most stressful environment that the sport can offer. Yet Ben Stokes insists that the goal remains the same – to attack, to play without fear, to go for the jugular, to leave caution and circumspect back in the dark reaches of the dressing-room.
England have adopted an age-old Aussie mentality – ‘have a crack, ya mug,’ as Campo used to say on rugby fields, taunting the Poms in particular, notably in the 1991 World Cup final – which has been brilliantly taken up by Stokes and Brendon McCullum. From one win in 17 Tests, to 11 victories in 13. It’s quite the transformation. But this is the acid test. Will England’s nerve hold?
It may not have generated as many column inches as ‘David Beckham’s Metatarsal’ did prior to the 2002 World Cup but there is little doubt that the back injury to Jack Leach has had an impact on pre-tournament predictions. The problem that flared up during the warm-up Test against Ireland caused few ripples over and above the fact that it triggered a recall from the two year red ball wilderness of Moeen Ali. Leach’s loss, though, is a real blow no matter what Moeen may or may not bring to the party over the coming weeks.
Leach may not have the status of Nathan Lyon in Aussie ranks but he has been a mainstay of the Stokes era. The 31 year old off-spinner is the only England bowler to have taken part in all 13 Tests of the new Stokes order and is the highest wicket taker (45) under that regime. He has been a go-to guy for Stokes. Ali is not of the same ilk and press-ganging Joe Root to take on more bowling duties is a stop-gap solution rather than a properly considered strategy.
Australians learnt sledging at their mother’s knee and so should not be particularly knocked out of their stride by some loud-mouthed Brummie banter. A journo colleague did suggest the ECB should have considered getting Man City and former Aston Villa local, Jack Grealish, into the Hollies Stand for the start of play on Friday to gee up the crowd in the manner that he had led City’s Treble celebrations.
It was at Edgbaston in 2019 that Justin Langer took exception to the barracking that Steve Smith and David Warner received. Those complaints were simply more grist to the well-oiled Edgbaston mill, although it made nary a dent on Smith’s capacity to taunt England with yet another couple of hundreds as Australia came home to win. England certainly need to re-kindle the feel-good vibes of 2005 and, even though they triumphed 18 years ago despite a first-Test reversal at Lord’s, the momentum of an early victory in such a crammed itinerary would appear vital.
The Barmy Army in full voice at Birmingham. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Grealish will actually be on proper football duty on Friday evening with England play Malta in a European qualifier but all sporting eyes will be on Edgbaston. Test cricket, delightfully, is back in the spotlight and the crowd can play a supporting role.
All the chants and jibes directed at Smith, for his ‘cheating’ and (diminishing) idiosyncrasies at the crease, are, of course, back-handed compliments. After all, it was the same with ‘Bodyline.’ The only thing that really does get under the skin of the opposition is success. Smith is prowess personified. He knew what he was doing when signing up for three matches with Sussex CC, a gentle spell to acclimatise himself to England once again.
He may only have managed 122 runs from just 254 balls faced in those few weeks but the benefit of just getting in the groove slowly was to be seen from a trademark 121 against India, unhurried and unflustered. It was not a great portent for England against whom Smith is without equal. He has three double centuries to his name and averages over 60.
Much was made of the supposed ‘beasting’ handed out by Jofra Archer on the last tour but as Smith tartly pointed out on social media when news of Archer’s series-ending injury was announced, just how many times did the Sussex quick dismiss him? There are plenty of theories but no answer to the conundrum. It will require all Jimmy Anderson’s guile, all Mark Wood’s pace, all Ben Stokes’ force-field charisma to even trouble the bugger. England have to find a way or they won’t be laying their hands on the urn.
Steve Smith of Australia celebrates after reaching his century during day three of the First Test Match of the 2017/18 Ashes Serie. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
The cricket season is barely under way but already the England bowlers are well and truly crocked or recuperating on the treatment table. Archer and Leach have been ruled out while Jimmy Anderson, Ollie Robinson and Stokes have drawn more column inches for their various ailments than they have for any pre-series actions.
Stokes’ Wounded Knee saga is sure to be a feature maybe even immediately to judge by his pained reaction when just taking a catch against Ireland. Stokes is the Ian Botham of this era, a talisman and capable of extraordinary feats as Australia know only too well.
England have little margin for any R and R during the series so even if the boys all pass muster for the ringing of the opening bell at Edgbaston, their fitness for purpose with be a constant question throughout the series. England have decent depth in their batting with Jonny Bairstow restored to front-like wicket-keeping duties after his freakish broken leg in the winter when toppling over on a golf tee and Moeen also back in the frame.
The big question remains as to whether England have the firepower as well as the variety to bowl out an opposition featuring such high-end batters as Smith, Labuschagne, Khawaja and Head twice in five days. Come on down, then, Stuart Broad, no longer quite the automatic choice of the selectors but a man eminently capable of rising to the challenge. As he himself would be the first to tell you. Broad Shoulders needed all round.
Mick Cleary, who was Daily Telegraph rugby correspondent ( 1997-2021), was also a sports feature writer for The Observer ( 1988-1997). Cleary has covered eight Rugby World Cups as well as seven Lions tours. He was written several books on those tournaments and tours as well as worked with Jeremy Guscott on his autobiography. Cleary has also had extensive experience of other sports including tennis at Wimbledon, cycling at the Tour de France and golf at The Open. Cricket, athletics , horse racing and F1 also feature on his CV.