Do the Aussies stand a chance against the current world champions?
The 2019 Ashes is taking place just after the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, in which the hosts England emerged champions. They defeated the Aussies in the semi-final of the World Cup, having previously lost the group stage match. The series is taking place later than the usual due to the World Cup. This series will have the first Test matches of the inaugural 2019-21 ICC World Test Championship, which will help to popularise it and attract people to watch live cricket score and rekindle the interest in Test cricket.
The venues for Ashes Schedule 2019 are Edgbsto, Lord’s Headingley, Old Trafford and The Oval. Australia is the holders of the Ashes going into the series, having won it in 2017-18. But to defend the Ashes will be no easy task for the Kangaroos. The English players will be coming into the series with their confidence running high and would like to take their winning momentum from the World Cup into the Ashes. The last Ashes to be held in England was won 3-2 by the home side in 2015. No visiting side had won an Ashes series since England’s 3-1 away win in 2010-11. Adding to this fact, Australia last won an Ashes series in England in 2001.
Australia’s performance in the last two test series against India and Sri Lanka was a mixed bag. They lost to India 2-1 but managed to defeat Sri Lanka by 2 to nil. Australia will have David Warner and Steve Smith available for Ashes 2019 as their ban from international cricket league will come to an end. Both these batsmen will be crucial to provide a much-needed boost to the batting lineup of Aussies. They will surely be under a lot of heat for their previous actions and will like to overcome with their performance. Captain Tim Paine would be expected to provide stability to the team lower down the order.
Nathan Lyon will have a big responsibility on his shoulder to exploit the weakness of English batsmen against spin. In the fast bowling department, Pat Cummins and Peter Siddle will lead the attack. Pat Cummins has been bowling brilliantly lately, but it would be difficult for the coach to play him in all the five matches due to back to back two matches. The absence of James Anderson due to an injury to his calf can benefit the Kangaroo.
But the Aussies will have to avoid getting ahead of themselves. Being overconfidence can be disastrous to their quest of winning the Ashes on English soil after almost two decades. In the past, Australia’s big win against a major Test nation has been followed by the equal and opposite force of defeat. Therefore it will be important for the players to hold their heads together after winning a match or two as the series is not over until they lift the trophy in their hands. They will need to exploit the batting weakness of the English side, who have players who are more adept in playing ODI than Test matches.
