Such has been their focus, that they had sent their full fledged team to West Indies, knowing well the incapacity of the West Indies Team. Result: Aussies completed that 2 match series under 7 days with a thumbing win.
Now the 1st Ashes match starts off at Cardiff today.
The difference between the two teams is the left arm swing bowling from Aussies in the name of Johnson and Starc. With Hazlewood in the limelight off late, well supported by Watto and Lyon, these Aussies formidable bowling attack looks and offers much more solid and depth.
When our eyes shifts to their batting - it rings alarm bell to any opposition and more so to England. With Warner, Roger, Smith, Clarke, Watto, Voges/Marsh in the batting lineup, England will need to be better prepared to capture 20 wickets in this match.
When I look at England, the team, atleast on paper, looks rusty and shaky.
But for their captain Cook and along with him, Root, Stokes and Butler, their batting does not look that formidable. If Bell does not get going in the first match, it is more likely that he will be replaced.
Their bowling, other than Anderson and to an extent, Wood, does not look that encouraging either.
Pitch and conditions
There is a decent bit of grass left on the surface and the spin might come onto play later in the match. Thus Moeen Ali and Lyon will have their work out in the 2nd innings.
Clarke, might put the opposition on to bat and straight away to take a hold of the series.. Looks like an interesting toss is on the cards.
My Playing XI
England:
Cook, Lyth, Ballance, Bell, Root, Stokes, Moeen Ali, Buttler, Wood, Broad, Anderson
Australia:
Warner, Rogers, Smith, Clarke, Voges/Shaun Marsh, Watson, Haddin, Starc, Johnson, Hazlewood, Lyon
No comments:
Post a Comment