The Ashes – First Test: Preview – Testing times in Perth?
FIRST TEST PREVIEW
In my time I don’t think I have experienced such a prolongated lead up to an Ashes series. So truncated I have been saying for weeks “play up, play up and play the game.” The media have gone overboard despite the AFL continuing to run their daily ‘sensation’.
There are more ‘ifs and buts’ and ‘maybes’ and ‘perhaps’ than any speech by a politician. Which when you analyse it there seems to be little between the teams. So who will win the opening game at the Ark n Perth commencing Friday?
Much has been said about the English preparation in that they have only played one warm up game and against who? There second XI. Meanwhile the Australians have all spent plenty of time at the crease on the batting side of it but who have they faced in the last month? The bowlers when they can stand on their feet have been sharp. But it will be a huge task for regulars Starc and Lyon to maintain supremacy. Boland ‘the hero of Victoria’ has his chance to play regularly this series and his work is of a very high calibre and strike rate.
If anything I feel a bit suss about the Australian batting. Uzzie is approaching 40 and of course not as sharp as in his hey day and his wicket early would give the visitors great heart.
Not a fan of the dreary Australian selectors, don’t be surprised if they leave Weatherald wondering whether. Marnus has been on the top of his form for the banana- benders and he could take the top spot with Green at three and Webster playing to add another bowler. Take away Starc and Boland of the speed brigade and we only have Lyon on the line. So to adjust for injuries and lets face it Green, well, has been green, in that aspect of his game this season. Doggett gets his chance and could be in for some long spells if the weather is hot.
Australia is settled in the middle order but Head has not been in the greatest of form and much will depend on SPDS to carry the batting.
England will throw everything at the bowlers if England bat first with the triumvite of Starc, Boland and Lyon looking to break through early. Duckett and Crawley have been formidable at times in recent years but Australia will exploit Crawley’s flamboyant driving and he will be caught at mid-off or second slip early. Enter Ollie Pope, the Cornish man, who was my dark horse on the last tour but with a batting average of a little over 10 never looked the part. Now a more mature player and with Bethall breathing down his neck I expect him to succeed this time round.
Honest Joe will be looking for that elusive what-ever-it-is and this could be his best chance to do so against a weakened attack,
I love the way Brook and Smith attack the bowling and this could be the key to an English victory. Newbies to Australian conditions these are the two players I am looking forward to seeing.
England’s key bowlers look a bit suss like their counterparts in the Australian team and it could be the survival of the fittest that wins the game despite both sides looking strong in batting. How fit is Mark Wood? And it is laughable that they are thinking of playing an extra bowler just in case he breaks down.
Two players I haven’t mentioned in depth, in the case of Stokes, not all but the two skippers will be key players. Stokes could have his work cut out both batting and bowling while Smith never gives anything away and in particular when he is the stand-in captain.
One thing is certain the game won’t be a draw but I do believe that the English have a bit of an edge in key areas to win the game.
More stories from Citrus Bob Utber can be read Here.
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About Bob Utber
At 86 years of age Citrus Bob is doing what he has always done since growing up on a small farm at Lang Lang. Talking, watching and writing sport and in recent years writing books. He lives in Mildura with his very considerate wife (Jenny) and a groodle named 'Chloe on Flinders' and can be found at Deakin 27 every day.
I’m flying over to Perth tomorrow. My first test in Australia outside Adelaide. A lot of pundits around me don’t have high hopes for our success in Perth, or for the series for that matter. Injuries have created opportunities for others who are keen, and good enough to succeed. I’m still bullish for Perth, and the series.
I feel that this is the last hurrah for both BazBall, and for this Australian group.
Many retirements are pending, some forced (Uzman?), some just a product of age.
SMOKIE – you could be on the money and what about Uzzie? Says Sydney will be his last Test. Is this a case of the player dictating to selectors? Wouldn’t be the first time though.
DARYL – I expect a full-blown report on the game when it finishes. I hope that when you are in Perth you hear something about the rest of Australia! They don’t know what exists when get east of the Nullabor. Enjoy.