Can Australia Keep Up With Bazball as the Ashes

When England went to Australia in 2021-2022, there was absolutely no hope from even the most ardent England fans that England would be able to put up a fight in Australia. The first ball from Starc to Burns was enough, to sum up the Ashes, which turned out to be as one-sided as ever. England though went on to transform themselves completely following that loss.

Two years later, they now have a new coach, captain, and completely different management. The side, with the core still intact, has made the best of teams look toothless. The batters, with their aggression, have rattled sides both home and away. New Zealand, India, and South Africa, with some of the best bowlers going around, were made to look like net bowlers as England belted them all over the park. In Pakistan, England did the same to the Pakistani bowlers, making a point that their style remains the same on any ground.

In a few weeks, Australia will be touching down in England for what seems to be the most anticipated Ashes series in a while. Ever since the 2013 series, each of the tours, both home and away were rather predictable, with both sides enjoying their moment. Now though, England with their batting line-up will have a challenge in facing the Australian trio and Nathan Lyon.

Steve Smith has already mentioned that the Australian bowlers are known for building pressure and it will be interesting to see how they match up against a side who will come hard at them. Can Australia meet their expectations though, They were guilty of panicking and collapsing against India earlier this year, and they also have some form issues with the upcoming set of Tests likely to decide David Warner’s future in Test Cricket.

England, in their recent set of Tests, have done a really good job in forcing their opposition to panic. Their style of setting bowlers off their rhythm caused some of the best bowling attacks to go off track. With Ben Stokes asking for flatter tracks it is clear that England are going to continue with the same approach in the upcoming Ashes.

Australia’s pacers though are used to bowling on flatter tracks, where the bounce is a bit better. Australia’s surfaces are generally on the harder side, and that could spice up the battle between Australia’s three tall seamers and England’s batters. Another interesting aspect of the battle will be Nathan Lyon.

Nathan Lyon remains a traditional off-spinner, who relies highly on control, accuracy and drift. With Lyon normally targetting the same spot throughout a spell he does tend to get hit for a lot more sixes. With batters likely to step down and put him off his rhythm, it will be interesting to see if Nathan Lyon can keep his control and continue maintaining his spots despite England putting pressure on him.