The Ashes - History and preview to the 2013 series

As England and Australia battled in their 2013 ICC Champions Trophy opener, it was just the first of many times the two historic rivals were crossing paths this cricketing season. With two back-to-back Ashes series scheduled along with a number of corresponding one-day and T20 fixtures, the two arch-rivals would have seen more than enough of each other by the time their respective tours come to an end. And with both the series being so long, the two teams would do well to avoid injuries and breakdowns due to fatigue.

The Ashes is the most prestigious series, in the history of Test cricket in particular, and the sport in general. Played biennially and hosted alternately by 2 of cricket’s earliest competitors, the Ashes, for most part, has been bitterly fought over and at times been controversial (read Bodyline). There has also been mutual respect between the 2 sides as was evident when Andrew Flintoff consoled a distraught Brett Lee after England’s narrow 2-run win in the 2^nd match of the 2005 series. But the bottom line is that the Aussies hate Poms. The Poms hate the Aussies. Period. The infamous brawl between Ian Botham and Ian Chappell is just a “small” example. The competitive edge has come down a bit due to the dramatic decline in Aussie fortunes, but the intensity and urge to win the Ashes is still the same.

The Ashes have seen some splendid performances. Be it Sir Ian Botham single-handedly leading England to a series win at home against their arch nemesis or Andrew Flintoff establishing himself as England’s finest all-rounder with his series winning exploits in the memorable Ashes 2005, which was a series that also saw Kevin Pietersen announcing his arrival on the international stage. Who can forget Shane Warne’s “ball of the century” to dismiss Mike Gatting, Ricky Ponting’s match saving 156 in the third Test in 2005, Adam Gilchrist knocking the stuffing out of his great rivals with the 2^nd fastest Test century ever, at WACA in 2006, Jim Laker’s feat of taking 19 out of 20 Australian wickets in a match. And ah, how can I forget my personal favorite, Gary Pratt (remember him?) running out Ponting, who left the field throwing obscenities towards the English dressing room. There have been many other great performances, so the list can go on and on.

Of the 4 last Ashes’, the series hosted by England in 2005 and 2009 were closely fought, with the one in 2005 being regarded as one of the finest Test series of all time, as England finally wrested back the historic urn from their rivals. The 2006-07 and 2010-11 Ashes, hosted by Australia, were completely one-sided, as the former was won by the hosts, who whitewashed their opponents 5-0 to regain the urn. England took the latter series 3-1 to retain the Ashes, that they won at home in 2009. Now, as Australia prepare to take back the urn from England, their prospects look very grim. They are no longer the dominant side they used to be, as they have been hit by high-profile retirements in the last 6 years. The youngsters have simply failed to rise to the occasion, as a result of which their current Ashes squad is the weakest in years. They don’t look equipped to play Test cricket and their best (and only Test quality) batsman, skipper Michael Clarke is battling back problems. For all his success in ODIs and T20s, Shane Watson is yet to establish himself as a Test specialist and will have a lot to prove himself in the aftermath of “Homework-Gate”.

The rest of the batting line-up is short of experience and quality, and the return of Brad Haddin may give them much needed experience in the middle. However, their fast bowling looks great as they boast of some impressive talents like Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson, the hard-working Peter Siddle, while the return of the wily Ryan Harris after an injury layoff could be a shot in the arm for the once-mighty tourists. Having said that, they have limited spin options as they are yet to produce a quality spinner since the retirement of Shane Warne and Stuart McGill. Nathan Lyon is the best spinner they have, but after him, there is no one. There are plenty of youngsters and Ashes first-timers in the side, and they will have to play out of their skin to win the series and take the urn back home. They have also been uncharacteristically un-aggressive of late and small chatter here and there does not make up for the aggressiveness of their world-beating predecessors. Take into consideration their whitewash in India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as well as England’s present Test form, and everything looks downhill for the young Australians.

Nothing much to say about England apart from the fact that they look settled and battle-ready. Boasting of players like skipper Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott and the imminent return of Kevin Pietersen, their batting line-up looks impressive, if not intimidating. Add in the talented Joe Root and wicket-keeper Matt Prior, and the reliable Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann down the order, and the line-up suddenly starts looking more impressive. The presence of James Anderson, Broad, Swann and Tim Bresnan/Steven Finn as the 3^rd seamer makes their bowling line-up balanced and imposing. Having defeated India in a Test series in India for the first time in 28 years, Cooks’ men escaped with a drawn series in New Zealand, only to beat them 2-0 in the return series at home. It’s not for nothing they are the second best Test team in the world, and will enter the Ashes as firm favorites.

Australia may not be at their best but one cannot expect them to lose all 5 matches of the series. Yes, they were whitewashed by India; but with Ashes being such a long tour, they will improve at some point and may end up winning a match or two. They may end up drawing the series or better yet, pull a rabbit out of their hat and surprise their hosts by winning it all. However, England would still start as favorites, and I see them winning a closely fought series 2-1.

The return series in Australia is in November, and much of what happens there could depend on the outcome of this series. The mind games have already started, with former England captain David Gower publicly questioning Australian cricket culture. Let’s see how the Aussies reply, both verbally and on the field. Battle lines have been drawn for what could be a roller-coaster ride. As fans from both sides brace themselves for what means the world to them – The Ashes – I’ll sum up the emotions, by quoting the late Douglas Jardine, the former England captain and the brain behind Bodyline:

“I’ve not travelled 6,000 miles to make friends. I’m here to win the Ashes”