England’s batting ahead of the Ashes (Part 1)
The first Test of the Ashes series kick starts on November 23 at Brisbane. Fans around the World have already started to l**k their lips in anticipation of the series.
Moreover, it is of much interest that this is going to be one of the best English sides, since Mike Gatting’s triumphant English side of 1987, to travel to Australia.
England has not won an Ashes series in the land of Kangaroos since 1987. Experts say that this is the best chance for Englishmen to improve their Ashes record in Australia.
England has one of the strongest batting line-ups in the World. However, a lot depends on how England’s batsmen fare in Australia. Their success with the bat will definitely be a decisive factor in the upcoming Ashes series.
We have to take look at England’s top batsmen, who will be travelling Down Under this summer.
Andrew Strauss
A left hand opening batsman, who is technically well equipped to do well in tough conditions against quality attacks. Moreover, Strauss is mainly a back foot player, who can cut and pull anything which is pitched short of a length.
Andrew Strauss is a pillar of strength and determination for his team, which has helped the left hander to develop a sound method to counter most bowling attacks.
Early on, he had his problems against the spinners, as he used to stay back in the crease to counter any amount of spin, but it wasn’t to be. As a result, he developed a solid technique of playing the ball with his bat in front of the pad.
Moreover, he scored 2 centuries against Australia, against an attack that featured Shane Warne in the 2005 Ashes series.
Currently, The English captain has struggled for form. His last two Test series against quality opponents haven’t been convincing as he has struggled to counter probing seam attacks. In 8 matches against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 he has scored 325 runs at
a poor average of 25 with a best of 54. His tally of runs includes two half centuries.
The left hander hasn’t done badly in the Ashes. Consequently, he has featured in 15 Ashes Test matches, scoring 1,114 runs at an average of 39 with a best of 161. In his hunt for runs, he has scored 3 centuries.
This time around, the Ashes series is going to be played in Australia. Strauss’s numbers have suffered in the island continent. In his 5 outings, he has gathered 247 runs at an average of 24 with a single half century under his belt.
Last time around, it was a different bowling attack to counter, with the likes of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Stuart http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 and Brett Lee. All four of them are not part of the current Australian side. Comparatively, Australia will be taking on England with
a weak bowling attack comprising of Doug Bollinger, Ben Hilfenhaus, Nathan Hauritz, and Mitchell Johnson. So it will be a better opportunity for Strauss to score some big runs.
Alastair Cook
Notably, a stylish left hander, with a high back-lift that allows him to counter anything, which is short of a length. Mainly, he is a back foot player. Particularly, he is strong off his legs as he can whip you on the on-side all day. He is a compulsive
puller and hooker of the ball because of his ability to pick the length of the ball very early.
Moreover, he has the tendency to plant his front pad before the bat while playing the seamers, thus he is susceptible against the moving ball.
The stylish left hander had his problems against the probing seam attacks. In his last 6 matches he has only scored 226 runs at an average of 22 with a best of 110.
Add to this, he has to improve his record against Australia. Cook has played 10 matches against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746, scoring just 498 runs at an average of 26 with a single century. In Australia in 2006/07, in 5 matches, he only scored 276 runs at an average of 27
with one century at Perth.
But conditions might suit Cook as the bounce and pace from the wickets in Australia is even.
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