England’s World Cup celebrations will have to be put on hold for the time being as Joe Root and his men lock horns with arch-rivals Australia in the Ashes series.
It is the Aussies who are the current holders of the historic urn following their 4-0 triumph Down Under in 2017-18 and the onus will be on the hosts to wrestle it back in front of their home fans.
The Ashes have always been a spicy affair and the upcoming series promises to be no different with the added context of the inaugural World Test Championship. As the two teams get ready for the first showdown at Edgbaston, we look at six players who are bound to play major roles in the five-match series.
ENGLAND
Jofra Archer
Just a few months ago, the Barbados-born pacer wasn’t even eligible to represent England but he is now the toast of the nation after his starring role in the team’s World Cup winning campaign.
The 24-year-old has had to bide his time to become eligible for England selection but he has not wasted a single second in finding his feet at international cricket level.
Archer’s 16 wickets were crucial for the side’s march to a maiden title but it was the manner in which he bowled that will spark more fear in the Aussie batsmen.
He was knocking over batsmen at will in the World Cup with his fiery bouncers at more than 150 kmph while he also possesses a mean yorker and slower delivery. It will now be interesting to see how Archer performs on his Test debut following his exploits in white-ball cricket.
Can Archer match his white-ball exploits?
Jason Roy
England’s biggest concern heading into the Ashes will once again be the opening slots and they will be hoping that Jason Roy’s introduction to red-ball cricket can help in that regard.
The 29-year-old has been one of the key men in England’s rise to becoming the No1 ODI outfit with his explosive batting at the top of the innings. Roy played his part in the World Cup triumph through some excellent knocks along the way to the final and was subsequently handed a Test debut against Ireland.
While he did look shaky, Roy’s counter-attacking 72 in the second innings shows what he can bring to the table for England. The question now is whether his unorthodox technique can hold up against the most formidable pace attacks in the world.
Roy’s technique faces the ultimate test.
Ben Stokes
It was the Ben Stokes World Cup after the all-rounder emerged as England’s most valuable player over the course of the tournament. The 28-year-old has scripted a fine redemption story for himself with his heroics in the epic finale at Lord’s earning him national hero status.
His international career was at a crossroads 20 months ago or so following his involvement in the Bristol nightclub incident which subsequently led to him being axed from the Ashes 2017-18 touring party.
Now, Stokes has been restored as the team’s vice captain and he could be England’s biggest match-winner in the Ashes based on his current form.
Stokes is back as the vice-captain.
AUSTRALIA
Cameron Bancroft
While David Warner and Steve Smith have naturally attracted most of the attention since their return to international cricket after a one-year absence, Cameron Bancroft has been quietly making his Australia comeback in the shadows.
The trio were at the centre of the ball-tampering controversy in South Africa last year and they are back together in the Australia Test squad for the first time since.
Bancroft has been excellent for Durham in the County Championship this year and has adapted nicely to conditions in England. His gritty unbeaten innings of 93 on a very difficult pitch in Australia’s intra-squad warm up clash sealed his Ashes selection and he looks favourite to partner Warner at the top of the batting order.
Bancroft will be key at the top for Australia.
James Pattinson
After years of battling injury after injury, James Pattinson is all set to play an Ashes Test for the first time since 2013. The 29-year-old pacer was once hailed as the next big thing when he broke onto the international scene in 2011 with a sensational Test debut against South Africa.
However, multiple injuries have robbed Pattinson of several years of international cricket with the pacer able to make only 17 Test appearances for Australia so far. He will look to put all the years of disappointment and frustration behind him as he prepares for yet another international comeback.
70 wickets in just 17 Tests so far for Pattinson.
Steve Smith
The former Australia skipper was the No1 Test batsman in the world before the ugly episode at Newlands occurred and he now finds himself in the fourth spot as he prepares for a red-ball return.
While Warner was brilliant for Australia in the World Cup, Smith is yet to look close to his commanding best since his return to international cricket.
The 30-year-old is bound to be greeted by a chorus of boos in every Ashes Test but he will be itching to show once again that he is still the king of red-ball cricket. England are Smith’s favourite Test opposition with the right-hander boasting of eight previous tons against them in just 23 matches.
Smith will want to show that he is still No1.
