Poms ring changes
ENGLAND will resist the urge to raid the Big Bash League for a Boxing Day boost, with all four of its potential Test changes set to come from the 18-man Ashes squad.
Under-siege coach Chris Silverwood forced his men to relive their Adelaide Oval nightmares by replaying 14 of the 20 wickets England lost in the day-night Test on a TV in the dressingroom, staggered by his batsmen’s inability to leave balls that weren’t in danger of hitting off stump.
Young opener Zak Crawley, versatile batter Jonny Bairstow, quick Mark Wood and one of Jack Leach or Dom Bess are being considered for the MCG Test as England clings to hope it can emulate the feats of Don Bradman’s 1936-37 Aussies by going on a three-Test rampage after starting an Ashes series 0-2.
Sydney Thunder paceman Saqib Mahmood and Sixers batter
James Vince headline 13 Englishmen with BBL contracts and, while the England Cricket Board has not ruled out drafting one of them in for the fourth or fifth Tests, it won’t happen in Melbourne.
Mahmood, 24, snared 4-22 on debut against Brisbane Heat – which included the prized wickets of Chris Lynn, Sam Heazlett, captain Jimmy Peirson and fellow Englishman Ben Duckett – while Vince is averaging 22.6.
It is understood the BBL back-up plan would only eventuate should England suffer an injury.
Dawid Malan said his team lacked so much experience in Australian conditions that it had to learn on the job in the midst of the Ashes furnace.
“They’re trying to find ways to face bowlers they’ve never faced before, but also get used to the bounce here,” the No.3 said.
“This (MCG) wicket might be slightly skiddier, so we don’t want to go out and leave every ball and get bowled or lbw now.”
Crawley, 23, has dominated two seasons of grade cricket in Australia, smashing two centuries and nine half-centuries.
He averaged 57.2 across 32 games for Wembley Districts and Sydney Cricket Club in 2016-17 and 2018-19 respectively.
“Zak’s obviously a very talented player. He’s a tall bloke who plays the short ball really well so there’s every chance that he’ll be really good here,” Malan said.