With the Ashes series commencing on Wednesday in Cardiff, here's a look at five players set to impress.
JOE ROOT (ENGLAND)
World Ranking: 6
Tests: 27 Runs: 2,273 Average 54.11 Centuries: 6 Fifties: 11
Ashes record: Matches 9, Runs 531, Average 33.18
It’s hard to avoid getting carried away about the heights Root can hit in the game. Even just 27 matches into his Test career it appears inconceivable that he won’t end up with well over 100 Tests and 10,000 runs. He has the technique and temperament to play the long innings and is never satisfied with just three figures. In the here and now, a chance to improve a fledgling but modest Ashes record. There should be little doubt he can do it.
BEN STOKES (ENGLAND)
World Ranking: 13 (all-rounder’s category)
Tests: 11 Runs: 683 Average 34.15 Centuries: 2 Wickets: 29
Ashes record: Runs 279, Average 34.87, Centuries 1, Wickets 15
There is definitely something about Ben Stokes as was evident during the Lord’s Test last month against New Zealand when he hit 92 and 101 and took three wickets to fashion an England win. These are the days to cherish, and Stokes is a player whose inconsistency must be tolerated because the good will more than make up for the bad over the long term. Whatever ‘it’ is, Stokes has it. Unpredictable, volatile, mercurial, match-winning.
MARK WOOD (ENGLAND)
World Ranking: 67
Tests: 2 Wickets: 9 Average 33.22 Best bowling: 3-93
Ashes record: Yet to play
The 25-year-old has been impressive with his pace and swing in his debut series against New Zealand. Former England fast bowler Simon Jones believes Wood poses a big threat to the Aussies. Wood has it in him to come alive on the flat decks by reverse swinging the old ball at speeds over 90mph. He has an air of confidence in his persona and looks suited for the grind of international cricket, despite having played just 26 first class games in the last four years.
STEVEN SMITH (AUSTRALIA)
World Ranking: 1
Tests: 28 Runs: 2,587 Average 56.23 Centuries: 9 Fifties: 11
Ashes record: Matches 13, Runs 831, Average 37.77
He is undoubtedly the most improved player since the last Ashes were played in England. Before the 2013 series, Smith had played seven Tests and scored 420 runs at a modest average of 32.30. Since then the 26-year-old has emerged as the leading run-getter for Australia and tops the world rankings. Smith heads into this Ashes on the back of a sensational run, scoring 1,052 runs in his last six Tests, and looks good to knock down some more.
MITCHELL STARC (AUSTRALIA)
World Ranking: 21
Tests: 17 Wickets: 60 Average 32.20 Five-wkt hauls: 2
Ashes record: Matches 3, Wickets 11, Average 32.45
Such has been his impressive run ahead of the Ashes many in England believe this Mitchell holds a bigger threat than the other Mitchell (Johnson). Former England off-spinner Graeme Swann and West Indies fast bowling great Michael Holding feel Cook & Co can only win if they tame Starc otherwise this left-arm pacer is going to run them over. He comes into the series having claimed 10 wickets in two Tests on the placid Caribbean pitches.
