An Ashes Preview...
As a preface, this review intends to be different, avoiding the typical mundane BS rolled out to fill pre-game white space. If you find cliches, that will be an editorial error. As for predictions, there may be a few, but these are likely to be unfounded. Poking fun, of course. Strange and awkward analogies, absolutely. OK, enough, and joking aside, the intention is to provide a modicum of light relief before Friday's main course. I sincerely hope you enjoy the read.
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The Ashes, one of sport’s oldest rivalries, has returned. And the 2023 iteration shapes as the most eagerly anticipated series since England's resurrection summer of 2005. Can England continue in similar vain, taking all before them with their revolutionary brand of cricket, or will Australia unlock the secrets to "Bazball"? Moeen Ali is coaxed out of Test retirement to replace the likeable Jack Leach, and Australia have their own wildcard to play in Scotty Boland. Where else would you rather be? World cricket can take a breather and enjoy the purity of its five-day format.
I think that was a pretty steady intro. Albeit a tad serious!
Anyways, before we go on, just think while you’re here:
If 2005 went as predicted—an Australian victory—the wider cricketing public wouldn’t have had to suffer Michael ‘Virgil’ Vaughan for as long as we have. A Lancastrian could never forgive a fellow red-roser for crossing to the other side! Born: Eccles. Played for Yorkshire. That being said, full credit must go to Captain Vaughan for his no small part in that heroic series.
The hosts—how empirically formal—England have been on an absolute tear the past 12 months, winning 11 of their last 13 Tests. Coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes sweeping all comers aside with a fair dash of nonchalance, and you guessed right, it’s all down to a phenomenon called "Bazball"—whatever this is? We will find out soon.
Before I get to an explanation, I think it’s pertinent to welcome the visitors, Australia, arriving hot off a resounding World Test Championship (WTC) victory over the eternal bridesmaid, India. Australia dominated from the toss to the last wicket being taken. It was an ominous performance from the World champs.
Interesting note: Travis Head—he made a peerless first innings 163—became the first Australian to make a century at The Oval—against India (one for the trivia tests).
Back to "Bazball".
Various definitions are available when searching the "noun" "Bazball and its variants: Bazballing, Bazballer, Bazballed. My preference will always be:
"Bazball is when two New Zealanders get together and have a crack at running English cricket, with a dude who could be mistaken for a Kiwi (Rob Key)."
Hilarious? I thought so.
It goes without saying that England will be bazballing for sure, falling in behind their #1 bazballer, Ben Stokes, hoping they bazball Australia, who end up going home bazballed. It really is that simple!
Or is it? Let us stay with "Bazball’ a while longer. Going back to its architects, McCullum and Stokes, two Kiwis, how would they explain using their native tongue?
"Bloody Bazball’s a rippa bro, cos it’s simple, just absolutely munt the oppo, chunder all over ‘em. It's a calm before a storm thingy, just like being a baby cuz again, bro, play like a billy kid. No time served if yew stuff up. It’s mint."
Thank you, Coach, and well said, Skipper!
Yes, we said it earlier, joking aside.
This series looks like a heavyweight contest of years gone by. One to compare with "The Fight of the Century"—Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier (March 8, 1971) at Madison Square Garden, New York City, United States. Frazier winning on points. Who you might cast as Ali seems unclear? I guess it would be England, with Australia left to do the brawling.
Sorry, back to our two combatants and switching the dial to Australia.
Captain Pat Cummins leads a traditional, well-drilled Test match unit, and they are meticulously prepared by a young and talented coaching group headed by Andrew McDonald.
There appears to be little deviation from Australia’s tried-and-tested formula of scoring big first-innings runs and then building pressure with sustained periods of controlled bowling. They boast the best balanced bowling attack in world cricket—there’s one of those promised unfounded assertions!
Matching England’s revised batting strategy with Australia’s experienced and well-oiled bowling methods will undoubtedly provide the most entertaining watching of the series. Australia's exceptional out-cricket is a frequently overlooked aspect of their arsenal—they seldom miss a chance, and Alex Carey appears to be the better of the four (not a typo) keepers.
On the flip side, certain matchups (Stuart Broad vs. David Warner) and (Jimmy Anderson vs. Steve Smith) should also produce compelling entertainment; however, I do believe the key to either team’s success will lie in the Australia bowling vs. England batting matchup.
In the recently completed WTC cycle (two years), Australia’s bowling attack has issued combined suppression orders against the majority of opponents. These are the four pacers numbers: Boland 33 wkts at 14.57 (consistent with his career record!), Cummins 57 wkts at 22.15, Mitchell Starc 53 wkts at 28.49, and Josh Hazlewood 10 wkts at 29.70.
Nathan Lyon is as reliable as the U.S. Presidential seal—make of that what you will—gathering wickets on all types of surfaces and is rarely subjected to runs-per-over (RPO) pressure. This also looms as an intriguing matchup—Englands middle order, Harry Brook, Jonny Bairstow, Stokes, and Ali—will all look to wrest the early initiative from Lyon. Watch this space.
It’s been said before, and it rings true: "good teams think on their feet." Whoever’s able to do this best and intuitively is likely to win the big moments (at last, a cliche!) and eventually the contest.
My feeling is that England will live and die by the same sword they’ve been wielding for the last 12 odd months.
Jack Leach: "Honestly, I am gutted he can’t be out there wheeling away, accepting of an inevitable mauling, and smiling like a Somerset cat through it all. Absolutely gutted for the green-fingered twirler. I have to say, I’ve been dithering for what seems like an eternity with an article on Leach. It has changed direction more times than a faulty GPS. Taking the piss, not taking the piss. Relentless mocking, then unbridled adulation. Truth be told, I think Leach should be hosting a BBC gardening show; he’s made for it! Mind you, to counter that, green fingers came out with the quote of the year prior to the Ireland Test at Lords: "I now believe I belong in the team." You see, Jack Leach is an impossible read.
Alas, we will all be robbed of his presence—I hear the collective sighs from the Aussie side of the fence.
Oh, last but not least, the commentary—specifically the TV variety—and what to make of this. I can only hope—for Australian viewers—we get some of the UK (Sky Sports) feed as well as the Fox team through Channel 9.
As always, thank you for being here. And there should be a plethora of engaging cricket and commentary to consume over the next six weeks. Here’s hoping!
Nick well written again. Any chance of a prediction? And will Hazlewood prevail over Boland?
Very good work again Nick. Cliche free (almost)
Brook is the one for me. He has a Graham Hick about him that I am keen to see tested.