England cricketers have shown much muscle with their 2-1 lead over Australia in the Ashes Series. In spite of England’s Captain Alastair Cook failures, the middle order England’s batting have produced sufficient runs in order to elevate the team to lead the series. Joe Root and Ben Stokes along with all-rounder Moeen Ali have contributed significantly. Fast bowlers James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Steven Finn created much havoc on the Australian batsmen.
PACE AND MOVEMENT
On many English wickets, the ball does not come on to the bat and Australian batsmen such as David Warner, Captain Michael Clarke and Shane Watson have to do much adjusting. Steve Smith had a good innings at Lords with a double century but in the third Test he was beaten by pace.
ADAM VOGES FAILS IN ENGLAND
Adam Viges, the Aussie batsman who scored a century on debut in the Caribbean, is about to lose his place because of his poor performance. Shane Watson has already been dropped from the second and third Tests. Batting poses a huge problem for Australia in the Ashes Series. To add to their misery, England’s batsman Ian Bell is back in form stirring the ball beautifully. Ben Strokes and Jos Butler have to give good support with the bat in order for England to maintain the momentum in the last two Tests. Moeen Ali is doing an incredible job batting at number eight. England will win the series.
JAMES ANDERSON INJURED
English pacer James Anderson is injured and will be replaced by Mark Wood or Mark Footitt. Left-hander Footitt is very quick and bowls with appreciably swing.
BRAD HARDEN DROPPED
After 12 matches, Australia’s vice captain and wicket keeper batsman is averaging 16 runs per innings and clearly that is a reason to be dropped.
Note: What are the West Indies selectors doing with captain Denesh Ramdin who has failed as captain and batsman? Ramdin must be dropped from the West Indies team. Shane Dowrich must replace Ramdin as keeper and new captain selected. Devon Thomas should come in as the QOI and Twenty20 wicket keeper batsman. Changes must be made.
