Ashes 2017/18: SWOT analysis of England ahead of the series

There's an emotional baggage attached to the Ashes with numerous nostalgic moments and countless career-defining junctures, therefore, it is hard to ignore the significance of the most iconic cricket series in the world.

It is not only a clash between two teams, in many ways the Ashes is a clash of two civilizations. Two proud countries stand to gape at each other with almost polar opposite traditions, with nothing in common.

The Ashes story dates back to August 1882 when England were defeated at home by Australia.

Due to the shock and humiliation of the defeat, the Sporting Times newspaper printed a satirical obituary of English cricket, that stated: "The body will be cremated and the ashes taken back to Australia."

When England next toured Australia for the return series, revenge was exacted.

The visiting captain Ivo Bligh was presented with a terracotta urn to symbolize his team's win.

This year, on 23rd November, England and Australia will resume the hostilities at the Gabba and carry on the 135-year-old tradition.

With England winning the last Ashes series at home, both sides are on an equal footing with 32 series wins each.

Now, let’s do a SWOT analysis of the touring party England and see how they fare against the hosts.

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Strengths

Having won three of the five Tests in the 2015 series, England are the current holders of the Ashes.

Since 2005, seven Ashes series have been played of which five have been won by England and that is why they are the clear favourites as far as past track records are concerned.

Moreover, England are one country that take the longest format of cricket quite seriously and that is why they are one of the most competitive Test teams in the world.

So far, in 2017 England have maintained a 100 percent Test track record at home. Joe Root's men outplayed South Africa 3-1 in the Basil D'Oliveira Trophy before dominating West Indies 2-1 in the Wisden Trophy.

Weaknesses

Ball and Anderson are both not fully fit

With the first Ashes Test in Brisbane just a week away, the visitors have a number of notable absentees in their squad due to an injury crisis.

During the warm-up game against Cricket Austalia XI, Jake Ball, with strained ankle tendons, added to England's injury woes.

Bowling spearhead James Anderson is down with a bug and Steven Finn has already left the tour with a torn knee cartilage.

Liam Plunkett was also ruled out after he sustained an injury playing in the Bangladesh Premier League.

Ben Stokes, a vital cog in England's Test team, was not picked in the touring Ashes squad as he is still under police investigation because of the Bristol street brawl that took place in September.

Opportunities

Can Joe Root join six other Englishmen with an Ashes victory Down Under?

England's young captain Joe Root and his team have an opportunity to enter the league of extraordinary gentlemen if they manage to beat Steven Smith's Australia in their own backyard.

Only six England captains - Ivo Bligh, Douglas Jardine, Raymond Illingworth, Mike Brearley, Michael Vaughan and Andrew Strauss - have managed to win the Ashes Down Under in the last 135 years.

The Australian Test team underwent a complete overhaul after their Ashes 2015 loss and most of their players are quite unsettled in their new batting positions.

The touring party looks stronger on paper and can exploit the weaknesses in the hosts' batting arsenal.

Apart from retaining the iconic Ashes urn, England can move up in the ICC Test Rankings as well.

With 105 points, England are placed third at the moment. India, with 125 points, still rule the roost followed by South Africa with 111 points.

Threats

England will be severely impacted by Stokes' absence

England's brittle batting and the form of opener Alastair Cook are the major threats to England's Ashes defence.

Although Moeen Ali is back in the squad, the absence of Ben Stokes has left the holders' middle-order exposed.

There is no denying the fact that even though England are depleted, they still look stronger than the hosts on paper. However, the visitors cannot afford to get complacent because, at home, Australia are a force to reckon with.

Another major concern for England is that apart from James Anderson and Stuart Broad, Root does not have regular fast bowling options.