The Ashes 2010-2011

Every series of the Ashes is eagerly anticipated: it is now the only five Test series in cricket and is the oldest contest in the sport. Nothing can match it for excitement and passion. After England’s win in 2009, the next series begins on 25 November in Brisbane and the cricket world can look forward to five Tests of intense rivalry.

Neither England nor Australia are currently the world’s best team. The era of Australian greatness and dominance is over, and England, while often effective in Test cricket, lack any players who could justifiably be called “great”, though Australia still have the brilliant Ponting and Michael Clarke. Both sides have found it difficult to maintain success for long periods: Australia are currently ranked fourth in the world and England fifth. This does not mean that a mediocre series is in store, however. The cricket will be aggressive, tough and fascinating.

There are players on both sides who could make this series a fine one. Michael Clarke is the third-best batsman in the world at present. His batting is confident, assured under pressure and fluent. A wonderful player to watch, he was very successful in 2009, scoring two hundreds and two fifties at 64, while his career average of 50 in 62 matches is, arguably, better than anything England can offer at present. Graeme Swann is the second-best bowler in the world according to the ICC rankings and although his 2009 Ashes was disappointing, with only fourteen wickets at 40.5, he has enjoyed a magnificent year in storming to 113 Test wickets in only 24 Tests. Other players who could turn the series are Michael Katich and Stuart Broad for Australia and England respectively: Katich has established himself as one of the toughest batsmen in world cricket, and Broad continues to excite with both bat and ball.

England’s squad, announced this week, contains no real surprises. It consists of the players who have served England well this year, with Monty Panesar and Chris Tremlett restored to the squad after long absences (three years in Tremlett’s case). England do have talented players, but their lack of experience of Australian conditions will surely count against them. The searing heat and humidity, the hard and flat pitches, the Kookaburra ball and the huge stadiums filled with passionate Australian fans will all make it difficult for England to win there. Indeed, in twenty years England have won only three Tests out of twenty five, none when the series was still alive, and losing the last series there 5-0.

History and the conditions are very much against England. But with both sides in transition, and good young players like Broad and Finn, they do have a chance, unlike in previous years. However, Australia’s combination of depth of batting and home advantage will make life very hard for England to retain that tiny urn that has been the symbol of both English and Australian cricket since 1882.