Hands up who missed cricket? It’s been nearly an entire week since Ireland were skittled at Lord’s, with nothing to fill the void the 10 days prior to that once the World Cup closed shop.
Luckily, the Ashes are here to end that veritable famine and to take you all the way up to early September. Below, we try and predict which players will burn the brightest in the chase for the famous urn …
CHRIS BAILEY
Winners: England – There are no better operators of a Dukes ball than Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad – it might be their last ride together at home Ashes – and Chris Woakes is in the form of his life. Batting, smatting.
Top run-scorer: It just had to be one of the disgraced three, doesn’t it? Steve Smith didn’t look particularly comfortable in a World Cup setting, but swap the ball for a red one and you’ll find he has a first-class average of more than 61.
Top wicket-taker: Stuart Broad – He will be well-rested given that he doesn’t even play limited-overs games for Nottinghamshire and there have been no other Tests this summer. Can he better his 8-15? (Well, one can dream).
Surprise package: There will be a clarion call for a new England opener at some point, and Warwickshire’s Dom Sibley surprises us all by not throwing his wicket away. Scored 74 against Australia A last month.
Steve Smith.
AJIT VIJAYKUMAR
Winners: Australia – England’s batting is fragile; they have been bowled out for double digit scores three times within one year. Australia look settled all the way down. Plus, have an advantage when it comes to spin in the form of Nathan Lyon, so should take it 3-2 unless hit by injuries.
Top run-scorer: Joe Root – Not enough cricket followers give Root credit for switching from one format to the other effortlessly and then churn out runs. Plus a move up to No3 means he will dictate the flow of the innings more often than not.
Top wicket-taker: Pat Cummins – He is the No1 Test bowler in the world. He does not move the ball a mile but is a master of doing just enough at top pace to get wickets. Is at the peak of his game and one of the few who can make things happen even on dead surfaces.
Surprise package: Jason Roy – Has been picked because he has the ability to change the game in a session, at least on paper. Expect the swashbuckling opener to tear into the Aussie attack somewhere down the line. Hopefully, he won’t be asked to play conservatively.
Joe Root.
ASHISH PETER
Winners: England – The hosts might not exude a lot of confidence from their top-order but home advantage should tilt things in their favour in what could be a roller-coaster of a series. A 3-2 scoreline could be on the cards.
Top run-scorer: Joe Root – The England skipper was in fine nick in the World Cup and his class should be able to set him apart in the Ashes where low totals could be a common theme. He will face stiff competition from Steve Smith, however.
Top wicket-taker: Pat Cummins – The Aussie pacer finished as the highest wicket-taker in the 2017-18 Ashes Down Under with 23 scalps and should be able to repeat those exploits after ascending to No1 in the Test rankings. James Anderson, meanwhile, has a cloud hanging over his fitness.
Surprise package: James Pattinson – The 29-year-old is set to play in his first Test in more than three years after battling injuries and he could emerge as Australia’s chief wicket-taking threat if he can remain fit for the entire series.
James Pattinson.
BRENDON NETTO
Winners: England – There’s a batting issue that the hosts will have to address and they may fall victim to a World Cup hangover as well. May be close but expect them to get the job done. 3-2.
Top run-scorer: Joe Root – If anyone’s going to remain focused, it’s Root. Thrives in the longest format and has shown initiative, promoting himself to No3. Steve Smith may run him close though.
Top wicket-taker: Mitchell Starc – looked dangerous during the World Cup and conditions should suit him. James Anderson may not be 100 per cent for all five Tests while it’s Jofra Archer’s first taste of Test cricket.
Surprise package: Matthew Wade – Given Tim Paine is captain, his inclusion in the XI itself would be a surprise. He’s been in stunning form with the bat though and given the chance, could thrive without the responsibility of keeping wickets.
