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The oldest and biggest rivalry in world cricket is just a few hours away from reigniting down under. England’s tour of Australia for the five-match Ashes 2021-22 will kick off on December 8, when they take on the Aussies at the Gabba. Australia currently hold the Urn after drawing a historic Test series by 2-2 in England in the Ashes 2019.
The Aussies have only played three series since the last Ashes. They blanked Pakistan 2-0 at home in November 2019, followed by a 3-0 clean sweep of New Zealand in December-January. Their next series came after a gap of one year, against India. They lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for a second consecutive time at home by 2-1. They’ll be playing a Test series after almost an year.
England have had four Test assignments this year, starting with a 2-0 series victory in Sri Lanka. They then defeated India in the first Test away from home before losing the next three matches to concede the series. In June, an understrength English side played a two-match Test series against the Kiwis, which they lost by 0-1. England then hosted India, where they were behind by 1-2 before the fifth Test was postponed due to Covid-19.
Visiting Australia has always been a tough task for England in the last three decades, having won only six matches in the last seven Ashes down under. Joe Root and company have their task cut out while Australia will be looking to start on a positive note under the new captain Pat Cummins.
Key players
Josh Hazlewood has remarkable control and can move the ball both ways. Hazlewood has 212 wickets from 55 Tests at an average of 25.65. He has taken nine five-wicket hauls in the format, with the best of 6/67. The right-arm seamer was terrific in the last series of India, picking 17 scalps at an average of 19.35, with two five-fers. The 30yr old pacer will be a key player for Australia at the Gabba.
Steve Smith’s ability to just dig in and pile on runs separates him from others. Smith has amassed 7540 runs in Test cricket from 77 matches at an incredible average of 61.80. He has registered 27 centuries and 31 fifties for Australia in this format.
The last time Smith faced England in Tests, he produced one of the greatest series performances, hammering 774 runs in four matches at an average of 110.57.
Joe Root is one of the ‘Fab four’ of this generation alongside Smith. England’s best batter of all time, Root has amassed 9278 runs in the longest format at a terrific average of 50.15. He has scored 23 hundreds and 50 half-centuries in red-ball cricket. Root has had a remarkable 2021 year, having scored 1455 runs from 12 matches at a magnificent average of 66.13. Root has registered six centuries this year alone and will be eager to better his average of 38 in Australia.
Ben Stokes is coming off a four-month break and will be roaring to go in conditions that suit him well. Stokes has scored 4631 runs from 71 Tests at an average of 37, including 10 centuries to his name. The all-rounder also has 163 wickets with the ball at 31.38 apiece, including four five-wicket hauls. Since the start of 2019, Stokes has over 1600 runs at 45 and has claimed 46 wickets at 28 apiece.
Prediction
Australia have historically dominated this prestigious rivalry against England. They are also extremely good at home, except against India in recent times. The Aussies have three outstanding batters in Steve Smith, David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne. The bowling unit comprising Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon remains very potent, while Mitchell Starc’s form remains a concern.
England had a few injury blows in the build-up, with Jofra Archer and Olly Stone getting ruled out. Ben Stokes, who wasn’t included in the squad earlier due to an injury and mental health, gives a massive boost to the side. The batting unit will largely rest on Root and Stokes. With James Anderson missing the first Test, the bowling unit of Ollie Robinson, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood will have an enormous task ahead of them.
Considering the overall gap in the quality for these conditions and the fact that England haven’t won a Test in their last 10 matches down under, Australia should win the Test if the weather permits and it is a big ‘if’.
