Ashes is considered & widely regarded as the most significant series for both Australia & England. England treats Ashes more than a World Cup; skipper Ben Stokes has said ‘n’ times in press & media that their ultimate goal is to win Ashes 2025-26 which starts from 21st November. Darren Lehmann quite candidly took a dig at England’s ultra-attacking approach.
England’s head coach Brendon McCullum has come under scrutiny after a forgettable ICC CT 2025. England fell like a pack of cards in the India & Pakistan Test tours, many would argue that the pitches were rank turners but that doesn’t mean just go all guns blazing. England’s new thinking of ‘entertaining’ the fans & transforming the game isn’t taking them anywhere close to winning the ICC WTC trophy.
England haven’t won a Test match in Australia for 15 years- Darren Lehmann
Darren Lehmann was having an interaction with Sky Sports. Darren Lehmann pointed out that Bazball isn’t a long & sustainable option. The ex-cricketer pointed out that Australia’s deadly pace attack would will make life harder for them.
“They have had a bit of a hiccup of late with Bazball, haven’t won too many games, so that is a challenge. Are they a chance to win The Ashes? They have a chance but they will have to play very well. They haven’t won a Test in Australia for 15 years, so it will need a big turnaround,” said Darren Lehmann.
“It is something they could do if they get on a bit of a roll but I just think the bowling attack Australia put out there and on the wickets we play will be a real contest for them. Bazball has been excellent and works on flat wickets but as soon as the wicket does anything it doesn’t really work,” he added.
Uphill Task for England
England last won a Test match in Australia was way back in 2010-11 under the captaincy of Andrew Strauss and they also had won the Ashes after 24 years. Since then, they have lacked the mental toughness to grind the opposition. The 2021-22 Ashes was a nightmare for England who lost the series by 0-4.
The fast bowling duo of Mark Wood & Jofra Archer are very much pivotal for England’s chances. Mark Wood is ruled out with injury for 4 months, only time will tell whether he would be fit to bowl with his express pace. With 5 Test matches aligned up with India in June 2025, England have a bumper Test summer coming up & Archer needs to handled with care as his elbow injury in the past has ruled him out for long phases.
Concerns for England
Ever since Brendon McCullum took charge of England’s red ball team, it won’t be wrong to say that they have been flat track bullies as mentioned by Sir Geoffrey Boycott. England have played 29 Tests from June 2022 & won 22 out of them but they haven’t been able to conquer the World cricket.
The rising cricketer Harry Brook and tipped to be the next white ball skipper needs to do the bulk of scoring. Harry Brook has amassed 2,281 runs in 24 Test matches since 2022 with an average of 58.48 and struck 8 tons & 10 half-centuries. This will be the 4th Ashes tour for Joe Root in Australia & (*3) Ben Stokes as the veteran players need to play big, gigantic knocks rather than asking the youngsters to do the hard yards.