If there was going to be a time for England to win the Ashes in Australia, it looks like now is that time. Australia are on a losing streak in all forms of the game, but just lost both tests to India and are now losing one-day matches to Sri Lanka, with both series featuring Australia in a winning position only for it to slip from their grasp. That has been traditionally more of an English ability, with the Aussies much better at closing out a match, but Australia are in transition after the retirement of some great cricketers (Shane Warne and Brett Lee especially) and England are in a very settled mode.
But questions remain, with the English side unfamiliar with the style of ball and somewhat untested in Australian conditions. We also have some form questions over several batsmen: Cook, Pietersen, Collingwood. And their principle back-up, Eoin Morgan, is very young.
So there was some interest in the opening day of the warm-up game against Western Australia. England are treating the matches seriously, playing their expected Test team, with Finn, Bell in the starting 11. The good news was that Stuart Broad seems to have taken a liking to the new ball down under and skittled out 3. Jimmy Anderson also seems to have matured as a bowler and persisted even as luck did not go his way. There was less sign of what Graeme Swann will bring, but he got a wicket and got a taste of what he can expect as a couple of batsmen went after him. The worry was always likely to be Steve Finn and he showed a lack of consistency – his trademark usually – and ended up going for quite a few runs without reward. Hopefully he can make the adjustment in the second innings before the real business starts (though I’d expect at least one warm-up game for Tremlett – he will be needed during this tour without doubt). The other was that Cook got out in the few overs at the end of the day, not exactly the start he wanted.
Still, this is england’s big chance to claim the Ashes. I think there will be some fascinating cricket coming.
