England cricket team would face an uphill task against a mighty Australian side in Ashes 2025-26. With more than 2 months till the first ball being bowled, the hype for Ashes is getting bigger with every day. Harry Brook will have to lead the batting line up along with Joe Root. Harry Brook can be a force to reckon against a sturdy bowling trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc & Josh Hazlewood & spin wizard Nathan Lyon.
Even after Australi white-washed West Indies in Tests by 3-0, they have problems aplenty in their batting unit. The top order has been exposed; it would be fascinating to see how long Australian selectors persist with the veteran Usman Khawaja who is at the twilight of his career and hasn’t been able to trouble the scorers.
I think Harry Brook will adapt- Josh Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood was having an interaction with ICC. Josh Hazlewood pointed out that the pitches in England haven’t been that testing. Josh Hazlewood pointed out that Harry Brook would serve a tough challenge. Josh Hazlewood also mentioned that Harry Brook can play with full freedom in his maiden Ashes tour in Australia.
“England has obviously been quite flat wickets recently, the last few years, and it’s been a really dry summer as well, so they are probably starting to get tired and spin now,” said Josh Hazlewood.
“I think (Harry Brook) will adapt. He’s a good player. He’s at the top of the rankings for a reason, and he’ll be a tough challenge. I think a fresh face like Harry Brook might find it easier. There’s no baggage behind him and he can just come out and play with freedom as he does,” he added.
Stern Task ahead for England
England haven’t won a Test match in Australia since Ashes 2010-11; the series was a historic one where Britishers won the series by 3-1. England undoubtedly will have to play out of their skin to outclass Australia. It won’t be wrong to say that both the teams are evenly matched as England recently were tested against India when they squared the series by 2-2.
The duo of captain & coach: Ben Stokes & Brendon McCullum; will perhaps have to adopt horses and courses way to defeat Australia. We all witnessed how India faltered even after winning the opening Test match. It’s quite crystal clear that England will have to play fearless brand of cricket to outshine Australia who have a knack of finding match winners on the given day and for particular scenarios as well.
Riveting Test series on cards
Ashes is considered the pinnacle marquee series for England. Ben Stokes since Ashes 2023 has said ‘n’ times that English side wants to get the “Urn” back after a topsy-turvy Ashes 2023 where the series was squared by 2-2. Even in Ashes 2019, the series was leveled by 2-2 as Australia somewhat have been able to assert their dominance over England in England as well.
It won’t be a bad option that England bring back Jonny Bairstow in the Test side who can take down Aussie bowling unit. Jonny Bairstow is someone who can score quick runs and his experience would be invaulable if he gets a chance to be in the squad. Jonny Bairstow has been completely
Ben Stokes & Joe Root are at the back end of their career and would be keen to end their career on a high note. We all witnessed how India’s star studded players Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma & Ravichandran Ashwin bid adieu to Test arena after 3-1 Test series defeat. It would sound very harsh, if England don’t win Ashes then we might have seen Ben Stokes & Joe Root for the last time in whites as this series is no less than a World Cup for England.