Do England Stick or Twist This Summer?

The Ashes tour has become such a huge event it is becoming increasingly in danger of overshadowing all other test cricket in England (and Australia). The logical conclusion is that other series simply become an opportunity for the management to try and find the best team they can to face their oldest and bitterest rivals in the battle for the wooden urn. It is easy to point the finger at management, but they can be forgiven for setting these priorities. Such is the public and media hype around the biennial series which dates back to 1882 that it has become the yardstick by which players, teams and management alike are judged. It is certainly the way that heroes and legends are most easily made, and careers defined.

Surely though, this is not only at the detriment of the teams themselves, but to the sport as a whole, creating a 2-tier system (or 3-tier system, as you could put forward a strong case a 2-tier one is already in operation) among the major test playing nations.

For the next 16 months England therefore face a dilemma. They are an improving side, but the victory over Sri Lanka in the recent Investec test series probably posed more questions than it answered. It is obvious they are not the finished article, so what do Messrs Bayliss and Strauss do? Before they fly half way round the world the Autumn after next, there is the small matter of a series against a quickly improving (and almost as bitter) rival; the super series tournament; a tour of India and the number one test ranking to think about. Simply concentrating on the next test is probably not an option. Winning against Pakistan and success on the sub-continent but followed by a defeat in Australia will not be seen as acceptable – by the English public, media and their bosses. So, whatever they are publicly saying where their focus lies, they can be forgiven for having at least half a mind on who will be going into that first Ashes test as favourites in 2017.

Team Building 

Whatever the priority, England need to find a squad of players that is capable of playing any team on any type of surface. Beating Sri Lanka in conditions that couldn’t have been kinder to the hosts is one thing, doing the same in Delhi and Sydney is a whole different ball game, literally. There is little doubt the core of the England team is world class. Cook, Root, Broad and Anderson would walk into any team on the planet, and Bairstow and Stokes wouldn’t be far behind. As in any team however, it is the weak links at the very highest level that are exploited and what makes a good team a very good, world class team. It is those positions that England need to fill over the coming months.

Even with those names mentioned above however, there are question marks. It wasn’t long ago that Cook couldn’t buy a run. His recent welcome return to form, complete with the achievement of becoming the only Englishmen to score 10,000 runs – and the youngest ever to reach that landmark bodes well. It is an all too familiar reminder though that class is permanent, form is temporary.  How long can Anderson – currently ranked the best bowler in the world – continue, and surely in the heat of India and Australia he will need to be used sparingly.

It wouldn’t be an Ashes series if there weren’t question marks about England’s wicket keeper. Bairstow has done enough with the bat to cement his place in the starting 11, but doubts remain regarding his ability at test level behind the stumps. That may well be the most easily resolved issue the management have to deal with.

England  vs Pakistan

A series against Pakistan is always a feisty, competitive affair. Last time they met, Pakistan came out on top of a lacklustre England in the series held in the UAE. With Mohammad Amir looking likely to be included in the touring party, it looks set to be another fascinating – and full-blooded affair.

An interesting and little known fact is that Pakistan are the only test playing nation that England don’t hold the last win over. You can be sure come 14th July at lords, that is a statistic Cook and his men will be trying to put to bed.

Super Series

It may have met with apathy at best, and ridicule at worst but this summer’s super series format is Andrew Strauss’ baby so he and his team need to be seen to be taking it seriously. The format was introduced to give the tours of Sri Lanka and Pakistan some added meaning, context and credibility. 

Points will be awarded throughout the summer: four for a test win, two for a draw and two for a victory in both the T20 and ODI versions of the game. As well as the individual series winners, there will then be determined who is the overall winner of the series. It is obvious why they have done it, but whether it will have any bearing, impact or longevity, only time will tell.

England vs India

Facing India in India is as hard, if not harder, than going to Australia, and the passion of the fans is on a par. The wickets they will play on are going to be a world away from those the following winter however, so you can forgive the England team and management for treating this series as a one-off. A one-off they will be desperate to win, but one that may not have too much bearing on the Ashes tour. That said, after success in South Africa, if they can follow it up with a victory against Pakistan, any form of success in India will put them in a position when they will think that they can take on and beat anyone, anywhere – and rightly so.

World Rankings

Currently ranked in 4th place behind Australia, India and Pakistan, England will be looking to regain top spot in the ICC rankings over the next 18 months. In the past their focus on reaching the number 1 ranking – achieved after a victorious series against India – started a decline that the team are now starting to put right. At the end of the day, if you asked anybody, player or fan whether they would prefer the number one ranking or to be holding that little wooden urn, not many people would plump for the former.

Winning test matches has to be the priority, and that in itself is a way to create a winning mentality, foster belief in the team and each individual and to get the very best out of each and every member of the squad. Last time, the Australians felt they could and should have won. If they aren’t going to go one further in their own back yard, England have to get it right a long time before they step onto the plane next Autumn. 

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