“Battling Bazball: Can It Take on Australia’s Cricket Dominance? Unveiling the Ashes Battlefield”

Will Bazball Work Against Australia?

The question of whether Bazball, the style of cricket brought in by Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, will work against Australia is a point of contention among ESPNcricinfo’s writers. Vish Ehantharajah believes that it may work against Mitchell Starc but not against Pat Cummins. Meanwhile, Alex Malcolm is skeptical that Bazball will be able to keep Australia‘s attack under control for the entire series. However, Andrew McGlashan highlights that it is difficult to predict, as Bazball has thrown many conventions out of the window. He also emphasizes the importance of playing without fear and embracing the uncluttered mindset that Bazball encourages. Matt Roller suggests that while England may not score at a run a ball like they did in Pakistan, they will still put pressure on Australia‘s bowlers when the circumstances allow.

Ultimately, the success of Bazball against Australia‘s attack remains uncertain. It will be a test of England’s ability to play with freedom and aggression, particularly when facing challenging situations or being criticized by nonbelievers.

The Defining Battle of the Series

The writers also discuss the defining battles of the series. Vish Ehantharajah believes that the matchup between Cameron Green and Joe Root will be crucial. Green’s ability to find the right length and exploit his medium-fast surprising bounce could trouble Root, who has been dismissed by Green before. This battle is made even more intriguing as England’s batters might target Green to limit the rest period for Cummins and the other frontline fast bowlers. Alex Malcolm emphasizes the importance of fielding, stating that the best fielding side will have an advantage. Both batting line-ups are talented but prone to giving chances. If Australia‘s Steve Smith or England’s Joe Root give a chance, it is crucial to take it, as such opportunities can impact the outcome of the series. Andrew McGlashan suggests that the battle between two captains, Stokes and Pat Cummins, will also have a significant impact on the series.

Series Scoreline Predictions

When it comes to predicting the series scoreline, opinions vary among the writers. Vish Ehantharajah predicts a 2-2 draw, with Australia winning the final Test and causing a heated reaction from certain quarters. Alex Malcolm acknowledges the uncertainty and suggests that the scoreline could be anywhere between 3-2 England or 4-1 Australia, with a 3-2 Australia result being a reasonable middle ground. Andrew McGlashan also expects a 3-2 result but is unsure which team will come out on top. Matt Roller looks towards history and predicts a 2-2 draw, with the possibility of an improbable draw thrown in. Andrew Miller, while acknowledging England’s propensity for implausible run chases, predicts a 3-2 victory for England, considering Australia‘s failure to win the Ashes in England for over two decades.

Leading Run-Scorers

When it comes to the leading run-scorers, Vish Ehantharajah suggests that Marnus Labuschagne will be Australia‘s top scorer. Labuschagne’s good form for Glamorgan and his control over his game make him a strong candidate. For England, the safe bet is Joe Root, as noted by Alex Malcolm. Root’s class and consistency make him a formidable batsman, even against a strong Australian attack. Andrew McGlashan predicts Root’s success, highlighting his ability to perform against a strong Australian attack. For Australia, McGlashan predicts that Steve Smith will leave his mark with some outstanding performances, potentially matching or surpassing the 774 runs he made four years ago. Matt Roller puts the spotlight on Harry Brook, a young talent in England’s middle order who he believes will have a prolific series.

Leading Wicket-Takers

When it comes to leading wicket-takers, Vish Ehantharajah believes that Scott Boland will trouble England’s batters with his deceptive seam and likely end up as Australia‘s top wicket-taker. Ollie Robinson is predicted to top England’s wicket-taking charts by Ehantharajah, showcasing that England has talent beyond stalwarts like Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad. Alex Malcolm predicts that Pat Cummins will be Australia‘s leading wicket-taker, given his durability and success against left-handed batsmen. Stuart Broad, on the other hand, is Malcolm’s pick for England’s leading wicket-taker. Broad’s experience, durability, and success against Australia‘s left-handers make him a strong candidate. Andrew McGlashan also predicts Robinson to lead England’s wicket-taking charts, provided he plays in at least four of the five Tests. Cummins is his pick for Australia‘s leading wicket-taker, given his ability and the likelihood that he will play all five Tests. Matt Roller considers Robinson’s consistency and ability to last the entire series as essential factors in him topping England’s wicket-taking charts. As for Australia, he predicts that Cummins will extend his remarkable record as Australia‘s leading wicket-taker in Ashes series. Andrew Miller aligns with the predictions of Cummins and Robinson being the leading wicket-takers for Australia and England respectively.

Conclusion

The predictions from ESPNcricinfo’s writers give an insight into the potential dynamics of the upcoming Ashes series. The effectiveness of Bazball against Australia, the defining battles, and the outcomes of the series are all points of debate. It remains to be seen how the series unfolds and which team comes out on top. However, one thing is for certain: the Ashes series will provide an intense and captivating contest between two cricketing powerhouses.