2017-18 ASHES SERIES - 1st TEST @ The Gabba
  Story By Wayne Bristow     

Monday, 20 November 2017: It might be too much to ask for anything like the 2005 Ashes series.


The Ashes
The Ashes
But all of us cricket fans will take something pretty close if that is possible. Thanks in advance.

So it’s Ashes time again and boy the sport could use a shot in the arm.

International cricket is in a state of transition and a vibrant Ashes contest would go some way to providing some much needed inspiration.

As the Twenty-20 explosion takes some control with governing bodies seduced by the almighty dollar, the tradition of the game could be considered under attack.

And while even the ICC concede test cricket needs urgent attention and regeneration, a renaissance from within couldn’t hurt. Their elevation of Afghanistan and Ireland to Full Member Test Status is just one example of that concession.

That renewal can start with a great edition of its oldest prize, beginning with the first of five tests at the Gabba from this Thursday.

With those five tests encompassing just seven weeks, neither team can really afford to get off to a sluggish start so the first test, the first day, even the first session is crucial.

A positive performance in the Brisbane game is even more fundamental to the final outcome, given the fact a week later the first ever Day/Night Ashes Test is held in Adelaide and no one can predict how that might play out.

With this in mind, recent efforts by both teams show an inconsistency of execution and a lack of application, often with the bat.

Australia were really poor against South Africa last summer and the selectors swung the axe with three debutants in Adelaide. The irony of that is that now only Handscomb has survived just nine tests later.

Three wins over Pakistan added some optimism and then a very compelling, combative skirmish against India on some decidedly testing decks added to that sense of hope.

However consider that in eight innings in that Indian series, only two Australians scored a hundred. The skipper had three of them in a masterful display with one run shy of 500 total and the other was Glenn Maxwell who wasn’t even selected in the First Test.

Here is a stat for those confident of an Australian batting revival. Of the top five batting averages in those four matches, Maxwell, Wade and Renshaw have been dropped and Mitchell Starc was the other beside Smith.

It wasn’t all that much better against Bangladesh five months later with plenty of starts but only this time it was David Warner who was capable of going on for two top centuries with great concentration, curtailing his usual flamboyance. Defending was as important there as attacking.

It was much more about Nathan Lyon’s outstanding spinning efforts with 41 wickets across six tests – albeit on raging turners. That said he has become incredibly reliable anywhere in the world.

On the other side of the fence, England were more decisive against South Africa to begin the home summer than ending it against the West Indies, who did produce more determination than of late.

After a famous win at Leeds, the Windies forced England to a decider at Lords. These weren’t pretty performances but series wins nonetheless.

They have to rely strongly on their two class batsman in Root and Cook. The new and the old captain have had pretty decent 2017s. The wildcard on top of them is Ben Stokes but we’ll get to him later.

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As for the selection of the likely XIs, that too is open for much debate.

The Australian squad caused much consternation. The dropping of Renshaw, whose last test innings in Australia was 184, is questionable. Sure he wasn’t grand on the subcontinent but apart from the Captain and Vice-Captain, who was?

He is a victim of playing in tough conditions since the Pakistan hundred and then, with the stated selectorial objectives of runs in the three Shield games, he failed. His time will come again that is for certain.

Maxwell is less of a surprise. Many would agree, unless you have a high quality number six who can make an impact with the ball, you just pick the best batsman. The question is, was Shaun Marsh the best batsman available?

Many would argue that but he saved the Ranchi Test in March with a great desire to defend and fight in collaboration with Handscomb.

Then you come to Tim Paine as wicket-keeper. Not even the first choice keeper in his home state, he hasn’t played a test for seven years. In 2010, he did apply himself well against Pakistan in England and India in India but finger injuries took a hold and even retirement was contemplated.

That said he has been part of recent Australian shorter form teams so he’s not foreign to the squad.

In reality, it could well be up to Smith and Warner with the bat. The rest haven’t shown the standard over an extended period yet.

Matthew Renshaw will be back
Matthew Renshaw will be back

While Renshaw goes, it is pleasing they went for a debutant who is keen to impress and in the right zone. Cameron Bancroft had been touted for some time but was overlooked last summer.

However he put his hand up dramatically at the precise moment Renshaw was vulnerable like a funnel web spider swallowing an insect, surprising from his safe haven.

The Perth lad did what was desired. In the three Shield games seen as an ascent to the big league, he scored 442 runs @ 110 including a big double. You’d wish he had even more runs behind him but he has the hot hand. Play them when they are in form should always be the motto for a youngster.

Injury free, it is with the ball that Australia probably has the most potent part of the entire series. Mitchell Starc is rested and back after the Indian series was curtailed.

His recent humbling of rivals at state level could be a harbinger. His swinging yorkers and sheer pace will put English techniques under the pump.

Pat Cummins doesn’t have the grounding sadly, given countless injuries but he showed plenty of endeavour overseas on lifeless surfaces and now gets to play his first ever home match.

In Josh Hazlewood, he too returns off a troubled side strain but his metronomic style is a perfect accompaniment to his NSW team mates.

As for England, they too have their issues with injuries and form. They cannot afford for the Series to be like the last one played in Australia. It began poorly and ended in a whimper.

Hazlewood is McGrath-like
Hazlewood is McGrath-like

Even as current Ashes holders, they cannot play negatively. They’ve got a poor record down under with all bar one of their recent test wins here coming in the triumphant 10/11 series.

Do they go for a completely inexperienced line-up and include Malan, Stoneman and Vince who played at home in recent summers? They have been relying on a great percentage of their runs coming from 5-6-7-8. Stokes, Bairstow, Moeen Ali and Woakes were all important contributors.

It is good when it works but the underbelly is quickly exposed with early wickets in Australia.

England’s ageing but heroic combination of Anderson and Broad have to carry this attack. Can they do it for five tests? A big Gabba effort is required.

35yo James Anderson has 506 test wickets and 31yo Stuart Broad has 388 wickets. It feels like the rest of the pace battery combined can barely muster the same number of wickets as Winx has had consecutive victories.

While that isn’t true, there is a fragility that can be preyed upon if the openers don’t knick off Warner and company.

So then we come to Ben Stokes. He is an automatic selection when available and talismanic in his influence within this benign line up.

So much Andrew Flintoff like, he averages 35 with the bat and 33 with the ball. But he is a player capable of changing a game in a trice. Be it peeling off a quick hundred, a great catch in the gully, a brilliant run out or a five over spell which rips out a middle order, his like are few and far between.

However the matters of his potential inclusion through the series are going to cause contention from all areas of society. You can bet the crowds and certainly some sections of the media, both official and social, will not be backward in discussing his availability.

Possibly now at the whim of the England and Wales Cricket Board, he could make a return even as soon as the Perth Test.

Without any commentary of the reasons he is not in Australia now, the impact of him not here will be felt for however long that is.

To sum up the way the first test might be played, the Gabba has been a fortress for near on 30 years for Australia.

They have not lost there since a Windies rout in 1988 against an attack which had Marshall, Ambrose, Walsh and Patterson hurling them down at 150+ clicks. On top of that, an order which started with Greenidge, ended with Dujon and had a fair bit of Viv chewin’ gum and strutting in his pomp.

Australia do play better at home in general anyway where their batting frailties will be less obvious on good, bouncy and non-degrading pitches. Consistent bounce and the ability to cut and pull are always seen as a good framework for a local player.

Will Advance Australia Fair?
Will Advance Australia Fair?

With the average height of the ball above waist height not below, the attacking players like Warner, Smith and Handscomb will need to cash in – especially if the ball isn’t swinging.

That is what England need. A series with the ball dominating the bat because it’s the area they are better equipped. While the Gabba can swing, it would need five days of humidity because it is usually the flattest track of the summer.

Predicting an Australian Gabba win with Mitchell Starc to be knocking poles out of the ground and cleaning up the latter order. He’s worth taking the price on most wickets.

Most wickets in First Test First Innings - $2.75

Could very easily see Cameron Bancroft score a hundred on debut. He’s in form and playing with a confidence best placed to take advantage of that.

Most runs in First Test First Innings - $7

Let’s hope it is a great game.

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