Ashes: Key Battles Down Under

Ryan Harris vs. England’s Top 3

Harris took 24 wickets in 4 Tests tormenting England’s top order last summer. Cook and Trott both averaged in the twenties compared to their career averages of just under fifty. Excluding Root’s brilliant innings of 180 at Lords, he averaged just 17. Root’s move to the top of the order hasn’t been very successful due to his reluctance to play off the front-foot.

In Australia the conditions are very different to those in England with more pace and bounce. They will suit Cook and Root especially, who are better off the back-foot but Trott’s problem lies in his head. He appears to want to take the attack to the bowlers rather than being his calm, composed and often boring self. Between the three they have 35 test centuries so they are quality players that will bounce back. Harris will be very dangerous and in his backyard he will be an even more threatening proposition.

Graeme Swann vs. Nathan Lyon

Swann is a world-class spinner, having taken 248 test wickets at an average of about 28. Lyon has taken 85 wickets at an average of over 33 and didn’t look particularly effective in England when conditions favoured him. Swann took the most wickets in the series, 26, and was extremely economical whereas Lyon often gave away free runs which were at a premium in England.

Conditions in Australia will not favour them, but Swann seems to be able to keep things tight building up pressure. Lyon needs to do the same, if Australia are to have a balanced and potent attack.

England’s Bowling Unit vs. Australia’s Batsmen

Australia’s batting has been their Achilles heal all summer, collapsing from winning positions to humiliating defeats. Two examples that stand out are when they threw all ten wickets away for 60 runs at Lords and lost 8 wickets for 40 runs at Durham. England’s bowling was sometimes quite ordinary and often required a miracle spell from either Broad or Anderson with both taking 10 wickets in a Test. Anderson did it at Trent Bridge and Broad at Durham. Australia’s batsmen must be able to maintain concentration for long periods of time which at the moment they do not do. They have technical issues such as Shane Watson planting his front pad and being trapped lbw.

This is an interesting battle as England’s other bowlers were poor and Australia now have the comfort of home conditions along with the crowd.

James Anderson vs. Michael Clarke

James Anderson was stunning in the first Test at Trent Bridge but then fell away somewhat. However, he has dismissed Michael Clarke more than any other Ashes bowler. Anderson is the focal point of the English attack and Clarke is the leader of the Australian dressing-room and batting effort. If Clarke doesn’t fire, very often the entire team puts in an awful display. Clarke is a top-drawer player with 24 centuries to his name and a brilliant average of over 52.

They both performed in certain Tests in England but in Australia, Clarke will feel most comfortable and that is ominous for England. Clarke once in, usually gets a ‘daddy’ hundred. Anderson was vital in England’s win down under last time out and will again be critical for England’s chances of victory.

Ian Bell vs. Shane Watson

Bell comes out of the series of his life having been England’s turning very tricky positions into winning ones. He scored three hundreds averaging over 63. Shane Watson had a terrible series until his 150 at the Oval. Both players are hugely important as they will have to rebuild in the case of a collapse and will be key in their teams attempts to score quick runs.

Matt Prior vs. Brad Haddin

They are both stunning wicket keepers and fighters. Prior had a sorry series in England and Haddin put in key contributions showing that he merited his place in the side. They will be vital in their teams effort to extend the innings scoring valuable runs with the tail.

Kevin Pietersen vs. His Ego

KP has been England's star of the last decade with his ability eclipsing all other English greats. However, his temperament is quite the opposite as he has thrown his wicket away countless times making him hugely frustrating to watch. He averages just under 50 and played reasonably well in the series this summer culminating in a hundred at Old Trafford. He would have scored more runs if he didn't always try and dominate the bowlers, often playing a rash shot especially against spin.

If he plays well there will be no stopping him bar himself and that is why this is one of the most important battles in the entire tour.