The Ashes 2021-22 Series Starts in Australia
After months of buildup and anticipation, the Ashes 2021-22 Series is about to begin in Australia. It seemed at one point the series wouldn’t be able to go ahead due to the strict quarantine measures implemented by the Australian government. But progress has been made and the players are prepared for 5 test matches over the next 2 months. As many cricket fans will know, there is test match cricket, and then there is Ashes Cricket. The series always lives up to expectations, and fans will be in for a real treat over this Christmas period.
The ultimate cricket match between England and Australia starts this week, marking the beginning of a 2-month test series between the two test match powerhouses. ©shauking/Pixabay
England will start their campaign to regain the Ashes in Brisbane on Wednesday, and from the first ball, Joe Root’s side will have to contend with an overwhelming deficit of Ashes losses. Australia hasn’t lost on home soil since 2011, and the team now under the leadership of pace bowler Pat Cummins looks as strong as it ever has done. Stacked full of experience, the Aussies will be hoping to dominate from the off in Brisbane.
Cricket Australia will be expecting to make a quick start at the Gabba, considering the ground has not been kind to England in the past, they’re without a win there since 1986 with an abysmal record of 6 losses and 2 draws. The fortress status of the Gabba is not completely impenetrable though, as India proved in 1988 when they became the first touring test side to win there. But since then, the home side has been quite formidable, and the Gabba remains one of the toughest cricket grounds to visit as an away side.
Looking at the next matches in the series, there are four games being played across the country. The second test will see the teams face off in a pre-Christmas test at Adelaide. The third match starting on Boxing Day will be held in Melbourne. The fourth test, in 2022, is being held in Sydney. Since Perth will no longer host the fifth test, it still remains to be decided where the match will be played, despite this the dates are currently January 14 – 18.
With regards to the fifth test venue, current options include giving the game to Melbourne, the city hosting the third test. Alternatively, Sydney may be chosen to host the fourth and fifth tests, an option that would be quite boring from a spectator’s perspective. Other options being tabled for the final test match are either Canberra or Hobart.
Key Players on Both England and Australia Line-ups
As with any Ashes series, there is a core contingent that must be looked at in detail from each side when evaluating the objective chances of each team. Starting with England, it’s the talisman batsman Ben Stokes that the English press is getting excited about in the build-up to the Gabba test match. The towering batsman has proven his ability to transform a match with the bat, England’s hopes were massively lifted when Stokes was announced as a late addition to the squad in October.
Another prime player the away side will be reliant on is their captain Joe Root. The steady-handed opening batsman has huge cumulative career runs total but is still chasing his first test match century in Australia. If England is to get anything out of this match then they will certainly need Joe Root to play a prominent role in the game. Following an impressive year across the board for Joe Root, confidence is high in the England camp that he has the tools and momentum to deliver.
Now looking at the Australia team, newly appointed Pat Cummins joins the team to replace Tim Paine following his resignation. Cummins is already considered one of the world’s greatest pace bowlers following a tremendous breakthrough Ashes two years ago. Australia’s hopes of damaging England’s batting chances will be firmly pinned on Pat Cummins’ ability to deliver on his line and length.
With the bat, Steve Smith remains one of the best test cricket batsmen in the world, following his performances in the last Ashes series, England will need to develop a concrete plan of attack when it comes to bowling against the formidable shot selector. Steve Smith will know he is a player that can single-handedly decide the outcome of the series. If he starts to gather momentum at the crease, it could turn into a very difficult 2 months for England.
