Former Australia cricketer Ian Chappell believed that England will be formidable opponents in the Ashes 2025-26 series if key factors align in their favor. According to Ian Chappell, England possesses the necessary tools to challenge Australia on their home turf, but they need to perform cohesively. England have been buoyed by the change of leadership in Test cricket. Under captain Ben Stokes and Head Coach Brendon McCullum, England are playing an aggressive brand of cricket.
The batters are scoring runs fast and are always looking for results despite the circumstances. This has become enjoyable for the English fans. They recently won the home series against West Indies by a margin of 3-0. However, just ahead of the series, the English team took a brave call to look past James Anderson and inform him that they are going to make a new team capable of winning the Ashes 2025 in Australia.
Historic Ashes rivalry between England and Australia
Ben Stokes’ English team is set to face Australia in the highly anticipated Ashes Test series in 2025. After a thrilling 2-2 series draw in England in 2023, Stokes and his team are determined to reclaim the Ashes urn, which Australia have held since 2015. The last two Ashes series on English soil ended in 2-2 draws, while Australia have dominated on their home ground.
Since 2015, Australia have won both home series, both times with a commanding 4-0 victory. The upcoming 2025 Ashes will be played in Australia, presenting a significant challenge for England. Considering England’s recent form in Tests in Australia, Stokes faces a daunting task in his quest to bring the Ashes back home.
Anderson played the first Test match of the series at Lord’s and announced his retirement with 704 Test wickets. After Anderson’s retirement, Jamie Smith was included in the playing XI ahead of Bairstow and Foakes. Stokes is yet to win a Test series against Australia and England. They will face India in a 5-game home Test series in 2025, but the biggest challenge will be the Ashes in Australia at the end of 2025.
Ian Chappell believes England’s young batters can challenge Australia in 2025-26 Ashes
Former Australian captain Ian Chappell has pointed out that England have some promising batters capable of worrying the hosts Down Under in the 2025-26 Ashes series. Ian Chappell underlined that the likes of Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Zak Crawley can cause significant headaches for Australia.
The ongoing Test series against the West Indies has seen Root climb to the 7th spot in the list of highest run-getters in the format by passing 12000 runs. Crawley and Brook are rising through the ranks quickly and are among the brisk scorers in their line-up.
In his column for ESPNCricinfo, the South Australian stated that Jamie Smith’s inclusion has added an extra armory to England’s batting. He feels if Ben Stokes also finds consistency with the bat, England will be a force to reckon with. Chappell said:
“England has an attacking batting line-up, which they’ve bolstered with the inclusion of a solid wicketkeeper-batter in Jamie Smith. The players who could cause Australia concern are Joe Root for his sheer ability, and Zak Crawley and Harry Brook because of their aggression and capacity to score quickly. If Stokes recaptures his batting form he would fall into that category, especially as he’s bowling again and taking important wickets.”
However, it’s worth remembering that Root doesn’t have a century in Australia. Having played three Ashes series Down Under, the Yorkshire batter has managed 892 runs in 14 matches at an average of 35.68, with the best knock of 89.
“Choosing the right type of player to succeed in Australia is imperative” – Ian Chappell
Ian Chappell added that England must learn how to dismiss Australia’s lower-order cheaply and not rely on only bouncers. He went on to claim that holding on to catches will be equally vital, elaborating:
“If Stokes is fortunate enough to have a full contingent of fit fast bowlers in Australia, this will be a confidence booster. However, he needs to make dismissing lower-order opponents via good bowling a priority rather than relying on incessant overuse of a bouncer barrage. It’s one thing to know England is more accomplished than the inexperienced West Indies and that sooner or later they’ll wilt.”
Ian Chappell added:
“Choosing the right type of player to succeed in Australia is imperative. However, the only way England can win a tough series is if their fast bowlers perform and they hold their chances.”
England haven’t won a Test in Australia since 2011.
Ian Chappell Highlights The Two Conditions In Which Ben Stokes’ England Can Win The Ashes 2025 In Australia
Ian Chappell emphasized England’s potent pace attack, featuring the addition of Gus Atkinson and a fit Jofra Archer. He emphasized this formidable combination can pose serious challenges to the Australian batters. However, Ian Chappell also pointed out a crucial area of concern for England – their difficulty in dismissing lower-order batters quickly, which has led to conceding significant runs.
“Choosing the right type of player to succeed in Australia is imperative. However, the only way England can win a tough series is if their fast bowlers perform and they hold their chances. A strong England side to tour Australia would include a fit Atkinson, Wood, and hopefully Jofra Archer, to ensure the seam bowlers are complemented by fast men. The Australian batting is vulnerable, especially without the aggressive opening talents of David Warner,” the 80-year-old added.
“In addition to catching well, the England team has to learn to dismiss the lower order cheaply. Despite having an excellent attacking captain – the right leader for an Australia tour – England’s record against lower-order batters is often abysmal,” Chappell concluded.
England haven’t won a Test in Australia since 2011 and would love to win one with new team and talent under the dynamic duo combination of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.