Will England Brush Aside Australia in Ashes?

England and Australia are primed for a showdown in The Ashes starting in June in one of the most hotly anticipated series since 2005. Ben Stokes’ and Brendon McCullum have revolutionised England’s approach to Test match cricket, using aggressive tactics with the bat to reverse the fortunes against the red ball. England had won just one of their last 17 Test matches before McCullum and Stokes replaced Chris Silverwood and Joe Root as coach and captain respectively. There are offers available to use online to back England or Australia to win the series, which has the potential to swing either way based on the talent of the two sides. It promises to be one of the best Ashes contests seen since 2005 when England narrowly edged out Australia in a thriller that went down to the final game. Since then, the two sides have brushed each other aside with ease on home soil, other than 2019 which finished in a 2-2 draw. The 2023 series will hopefully go down to the wire, although England have been bullish about their chances in the early war of words between the teams.

Can Stokes and England sweep Australia aside?

England certainly have the ability to hammer the Baggy Greens on home soil. Under Root, England were meek and uncertain on how to play their cricket, resulting in underwhelming performances, particularly against Australia. Stokes and McCullum have transformed England’s style of play. It’s no-holds barred aggression and England are not apologising for it. The Three Lions have admitted that it can be boom-or-bust, meaning that they will have to be flawless to have any hope of not losing a Test match this summer.

The only glaring weakness England have is at the top of the order with opener Zak Crawley, who is hanging onto his place in the side by a thread. After missing all of England’s winter matches with a broken leg, Jonny Bairstow is itching for a recall. He might be pressed into a situation where he must open the batting alongside Ben Duckett.

It would seem unthinkable before Stokes and McCullum to play a player out of position, but it would just be another fearless decision that this England hierarchy are not afraid to make. Behind Bairstow and Duckett, England have the engine room of Ollie Pope, Root, Stokes and Harry Brook ready to attack the Aussie bowlers. They have been relentless against every other attack and Australia will have to be ready for the assault on their lines and lengths.

England also have a battery of seam bowlers ready to take on the Aussies. James Anderson and Stuart Broad are the master of the arts in home conditions, while Ollie Robinson has been a revelation in Test cricket. Robinson was impressive against Australia in down under, but lacked the stamina when his team needed him the most. He has worked tirelessly on his fitness and should be ready to go the distance. But, Mark Wood, Matthew Potts and even Sam Cook are ready to shoulder the burden throughout the series.

Will Australia retain the urn?

Australia have not won a series in England since 2001, but their performance in 2019 has given them the blueprint in how to win. The problem will be keeping their key men fit and firing over the course of the tour. There have been ructions in the Australia camp, while the team appears to be nearing the end of its cycle.

David Warner endured a torrid time in 2019, averaging just 9.50 with the bat at the top of the order. His form has been a huge issue for the Baggy Greens and he could well be dropped for the first match. Smith has regained his touch, although he is not the infallible force he was at the peak of his powers between 2016 and 2018. Labuschagne is the heir apparent to Smith in the line-up, but his recent series averages have tumbled down from the high mark set at the start of his career.

Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc will lead the bowling attack, and when the trio are operating at their best, they have the ability to trouble any batting line-up. The issue will be keeping them all fit and healthy throughout the summer. Scott Boland and Michael Neser were excellent in relief in Australia, but bowling with a Dukes ball in English conditions is a different challenge entirely, especially against an aggressive line-up. Australia will have their work cut out defending the urn against a team that is determined to get one over on their old rivals.