FIREPOWER THREATS TO AUSSIES’ ASHES

CricViz analyst BEN JONES breaks down the players who will decide the Ashes - Part 2

JOE ROOT

Joe Root is in the form of his life, and is the only unambiguously world class batsman that England are taking to Australia.

1455 runs at an average of 66 this year has left the England skipper hunting Mohammad Yousuf’s record for runs in a calendar year (1788 in 2006), and he will be a crucial part of any success England may have in this series.

As such, his contest with Pat Cummins will go some way to deciding if England have a hope or not.

Root has a terrible record against Cummins, averaging exactly 20 having been dismissed by him on seven occasions.

Cummins’ relentless accuracy around the top of off stump can often expose Root’s slight tendency to fall over the ball coming back into him, a tendency he’s gone some way to removing in the last year or so - but the challenge of facing Cummins remains pretty much the pinnacle.

Root’s record against Nathan Lyon is good over a long period (averaging over 40), but it was particularly exceptional in 2017/18, when he was dismissed only once for an average of 93. Root is a world class player of spin, and Lyon is (or has been) a world class spinner - their battle is fascinating.

Given Root’s vulnerability to the two metronomic seamers, the way in which he can take Lyon apart with his clinical and wide range of sweeps and nurdles, would be a huge pressure release for an English middle order which has been incredibly reliant on Root of late.

Lyon may get more opportunities than previously because Root will feel that the off spinner is now a weak point in the attack, rather than the crowning glory of the quartet, and he might have to temper his own attacking instincts.

BEN STOKES

The return of Ben Stokes after a mental-health induced absence from the side, is huge for England.

While Joe Root stands as England’s best batsman, Stokes has been close behind him in recent times in terms of pure numbers, averaging an impressive 45 since the start of 2019.

You could say no matter the situation, Ben Stokes is England’s man. Stokes is whatever you need him to be. And of course, it’s not just his batting, Stokes is also an enforcer with the ball.

From an English perspective, Stokes’ record against Josh Hazlewood is immensely encouraging.

Across seven Tests, Stokes averages just under 100 against Hazlewood, his most memorable success coming on that fourth day in Leeds two years ago.

For a player who grew up around the swing and seam of Durham, Stokes is extremely adept at leaving on length, a key attribute against the steepling bounce of Hazlewood.

While he won’t be the first line of defence against the NSW seamer, Stokes’ ability at No.5 could be key.

One of the reasons England would be reluctant to push Stokes up the order - though him playing the No.3 role was mooted at one stage - is his record against Mitchell Starc.

In four Tests, Starc has dismissed Stokes three times at an average of just 15.

Add that to success in other formats - including that iconic yorker at Lord’s during the 2019 World Cup - and Starc would fancy knocking over the England left-hander should he get the chance.