5 Players Who Must Perform For England If They're To Cause An Ashes Upset

5 Players Who Must Perform For England If They're To Cause An Ashes Upset
13:54, 22 Nov 2017

The talking is almost over, though it’s fair to say that the ‘talk’ has all been on the part of Australia, not England.

Trevor Bayliss’ troops have trudged through a long flight and have been quietly going about their business, doing their best not to rise to the bait being flung at them from Aussie players and media alike.   

It’s a safe bet that part of the reason the camp has remained quiet is that they would rather not discuss the odds of England retaining the urn. You won’t find a bookmaker who has them as favourites, though the Baggy Green have lost their last three Tests, including one against Bangladesh and two against India – all away from home, of course.

Cricket is, as they say, a funny old game, however and one in which it’s best never to write anyone off. England may not be boasting the sort of established line-up they have travelled with in previous years, but some of their less well-known faces are hitting form just at the right time.

As Joe Root prepares to make his most important team-talk yet, there are five players in particular who he’ll be asking to deliver their best.

Alastair Cook

No longer shouldering the burden of the captaincy, Cook is still under considerable pressure as he attempts to lead what Australian broadcaster Jim Maxwell described as “one of the poorest English batting line-ups I have ever seen to come to Australia.” Probably a little harsh. The fact remains that apart from Root, Cook is England’s best Test batsman and he can no longer use the armband as an excuse. The Essex man has looked completely comfortable in the warm-up matches, which is a promising sign. He also scored a double-century the last time he played at the Gabba.

Moeen Ali

‘Consistency’ has always been a stick to beat Moeen with. Realistically, England are going to need him to shine with both bat and ball. While he was off and on against the West Indies in the Test series, the highlight being a quick-fire 84, he took two five-wicket hauls against South Africa earlier in the summer. A side strain has disrupted his preparations and he was easily dispensed with in the third warm-up match for just five.

Dawid Malan

Such has been his form for Middlesex in recent County Championship seasons that he deserves to be persevered with. In last week’s warm-up, while England’s middle order were collapsing all around him, Malan managed to push on to score 109. The trip Down Under has the potential to make or break his fledgeling England career.

Mark Stoneman

Like Malan, it has been a hit-and-miss start to Stoneman’s international career. England have reached a point where they can no longer discard top-order batsmen after a few bad innings and that patience may be rewarded as Stoneman comes into form just at the right time. The 30-year-old reached his 100 off 140 balls against a Cricket Australia XI, but it’s his patience that should stand him in good stead not to make any rash decisions.

Chris Woakes

It would be wonderful to be able to discuss England’s chances without making reference to Ben Stokes, who will be watching at home to see if Chris Woakes can fill the void he has left. Stokes has undeniably let the side down, but Woakes represents England’s best hope that they could salvage something from the wreckage of their vice-captain’s antics. Looking at England’s line-up, there aren’t that many men who will strike fear into the hearts of the Aussies, but they will not look forward to facing big-hitter Woakes. 

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