Form over reputation – why England must pick Jonny Bairstow‏

How rather timely that on the day England were bowled out for 103 at Lord’s and subjected to a 405 run thrashing by Australia, two Ashes hopefuls should score hundreds for their respective counties.

The most in-form batsman in the domestic first class game, Jonny Bairstow of Yorkshire, continued his fine run of form by scoring 139 against Worcestershire at Scarborough, while Nottinghamshire’s James Taylor amassed 163 unbeaten runs on day one against Sussex, before he was eventually dismissed for a career-best 291.

The pair were recently involved in the England’s squad which beat New Zealand 3-2 in their ODI series. Although Bairstow was not picked in the original squad, Jos Buttler’s finger injury meant he was called up for the final match in Durham. The 25-year-old from Bradford duly blasted England to victory with a match-winning 83 runs from 60 balls.

While Taylor’s knock at Horsham was his first championship hundred in an unusually inconspicuous summer for the 5 foot 6 batsman, Bairstow has been scoring heavily in red-ball cricket all season long.

Having made three half-centuries and two centuries prior to his England ODI call-up, Bairstow followed his T20I appearance at Old Trafford with a double-century (219*) against Durham, before hitting 108 at Edgbaston versus Warwickshire a week later.

The man who was cast aside by his country following his bit part role Down Under when England were whitewashed 18 months ago, has now tallied up 906 runs at an average of 100.67 and at an impressive strike rate of 75.44.

Unfortunately for Jonny and James, England’s typical reaction to a crisis is, don’t panic.  But why keep faith with out of nick batsmen when Bairstow is in the form of his life?

Occasionally England will pick a scapegoat and remove him from their batting unit, despite that individual not doing little wrong. Nick Compton, Michael Carberry and James Taylor himself will testify to that. Oh, and Kevin Pietersen of course.

If England do make any changes for Edgbaston, Gary Ballance will probably be the unlucky loser. Opener Adam Lyth has been catapulted into the deep end and not yet given enough of a chance to prove himself at Test level, so he will likely stay. As for Ian Bell, despite being increasingly run-shy efforts at international level, his past efforts will likely result in him keeping his place for his home Test.

Ballance is dreadfully out of form and thus may be the man to step aside, despite the fact that Bell or Root would subsequently have to shuffle up the order to No3, with Bairstow slotting in at No5.

Whether new coach Trevor Bayliss decides to act remains to be seen. But it is surely time for England to stop picking batsmen on reputation, rather than form. They cannot continue to persist with low-confidence batters purely on the basis that they’ve scored runs in the past.

After all, it didn’t hurt Australia to swap the diminishing old guard of Brad Haddin and Shane Watson for the younger, hungrier duo of Mitchell Marsh and Peter Nevill.

England must follow their opponents lead if they are to bounce back from their crushing defeat at Lord’s and revitalise their hopes of winning back the Ashes on home soil.

 

#CWC15 – Team of the tournament (Group Stages)

Here’s our team of the tournament so far, a starting XI and four additional squad members. Surprisingly enough, there’s no Englishmen. Oh, and if you don’t like “data”, then maybe don’t read any further…

1. Shikhar Dhawan – India

One of the more controversial selections in the XI, although other openers have scored more runs than the Indian, 337 runs at 56.16 including two match-winning hundreds is pretty conclusive data. Dhoni and the selectors deserve credit for sticking with him during a sticky patch of form.

2. Brendon McCullum (c) – New Zealand

The Kiwi captain skippers our side thanks to his proactive tactics and fielding positions, and opens the batting because of his imperious strike-rate (187.59). His personal highlight of the group stages was smashing England’s bowlers all over the Cake Tin in his 25-ball knock of 77.

 3. Kumar Sangakkara (wk)– Sri Lanka

Sanga might be 37-years-old and on the verge of retiring from ODI cricket, but that hasn’t stopped the Sri Lankan from scoring four consecutive hundreds (a world cup record) as well as 496 runs at 124.00. He’s still keeping too!

4. Mohammad Mahmudullah – Bangladesh 

Successive centuries in Bangladesh’s last two games against England and New Zealand, 344 runs at 86.00, his runs were critical in ensuring the Tigers progressed to the quarter-finals.

GENIUS – South Africa captain AB de Villiers has been in sparkling form so far in the World Cup.

5. AB de Villiers – South Africa 

The South-African captain is a run-getting genius – 417 runs at 83.40, with his highest score (162*) the fastest 150 ever (64 balls) in one-day international cricket. He even burgled 4 wickets with his dodgy medium-pace.

6. Glenn Maxwell – Australia

It took “The Big Show” just 51 balls to make his maiden one-day international hundred against Sri Lanka, with the 26-year-old Aussie epitomising the role played by the modern-day 360-degree run-scoring batsman. Maxwell boasts the best tournament strike rate at 190.37 and an average of 64.25.

7. Sean Williams – Zimbabwe

A surprise selection in the XI perhaps, but the Zimbabwean leftie has scored 339 runs at 67.80 and also taken 7 wickets with his gentle spinners. Innovative with the bat, canny with ball in hand, the relatively unknown all-rounder heads home having had a truly impressive tournament.

8. Daniel Vettori – New Zealand

The experienced Kiwi provides a genuine spin option in the team, getting the nod ahead of Imran Tahir and Ravichandran Ashwin courtesy of his 13 wickets at 13.69, with an economy rate of just 3.21 runs per over.

9. Mohammed Shami – India

India’s fast-bowlers have played a crucial role in making sure the team go into the quarter-finals unbeaten and Shami has been the pick of the bunch, with 15 wickets at 12.60.

10. Mitchell Starc – Australia

The Aussie left-arm has easily outshone the other bloke with the same first name that bowls left-arm rapid for that lot (Johnson), taking 16 wickets at an average of just 8.50; mostly with fast, in-swinging yorkers. Best figures of 6/28 against New Zealand.

11. Trent Boult – New Zealand

Another left-arm quick that pitches it up and swings it back into the right-hander, the Kiwi has taken 15 wickets at 15.60, with a best of 5-27 against the Australians. Although Tim Southee destroyed England, Boult has been consistently menacing.

 Replacements

12. Josh Davey (Scotland) > Jerome Taylor (West Indies)

The Scot takes the back-up seamer role by virtue of having one more wicket than his West Indian counterpart (15). Yes Taylor swings it big at pace, while Davey only bowls medium-fast, but it’s nice to have a Scottish lad in the squad.

13. Brendan Taylor (Zimbabwe) > MS Dhoni (India)

In the battle to deputise behind the stumps, the Zimbabwean wins the wicket-keeper dual having amassed 433 runs at 72.16. Although Dhoni has a higher average (83.00), Taylor surprisingly has a marginally better strike rate.

14. Corey Anderson (New Zealand) > Wahab Riaz (Pakistan)

Both these lefties have impressed, but the Kiwi makes the squad by virtue of being a genuine all-rounder. Riaz took 14 wickets for Pakistan but slightly expensively, while Anderson made 158 runs at 39.60 and took 10 wickets.

15. Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka) > Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)

The Bangladesh captain is a phenomenal all-rounder (186 runs at 46.50; 7 wickets), but the Sri Lankan is simply a class act. Dilshan opens the batting and also bowls at critical period, excelling at both (395 runs at 79.00; 5 wickets).

Leicestershire Foxes v Notts Outlaws T20 preview

While England’s footballers will explore the definition of a “must-win” game tonight in Brazil, two East Midlands teams meet at Grace Road knowing more than just local pride is at stake.

Leicestershire currently lie eighth in the North Group having won just one NatWest T20 Blast match this summer, while Nottinghamshire sit one place higher in seventh having won just two of their five matches. Both sides therefore know a win is imperative this evening if they harness any realistic hope of progressing in the competition.

The Outlaws are without batsman Michael Lumb, who is sidelined for four weeks with an arm injury. The opener capped 27 times by England in T20 internationals picked up the injury during Nottinghamshire’s remarkable six-wicket win over Middlesex in the County Championship on Tuesday. Australian Phil Jaques is drafted into the squad as his replacement, while former-Foxes stars James Taylor and Harry Gurney are likely to play against their old county.

The Foxes meanwhile welcome back seam bowler Nathan Buck, who made a successful return from injury in their County Championship defeat to Worcestershire this week. The 23-year-old injured a finger in the T20 match against the Rapids and missed the defeat to Lancashire, but he is back in the squad after taking five Worcestershire wickets in the second innings midweek.

Neither side will be particularly happy with their results in the competition so far this summer, Leicestershire having lost four on the bounce since they defeated Derbyshire by 27 runs in their opening fixture. Although Nottinghamshire also managed to beat Derbyshire at the beginning of the month, they will be pleased to be playing away from Trent Bridge, having lost three successive T20 matches at home – to Birmingham, Durham and Worcestershire.

The last time the two teams met was in the corresponding fixture at Grace Road last season, which the Foxes won by seven wickets thanks to a knock of 67* by their skipper Josh Cobb. Nottinghamshire won the other T20 match between the pair last year, chasing down Leicestershire’s 183-8 inside 18 overs at Trent Bridge. If these contests are anything to go by, the match this evening could be another run-fest, with both teams desperate for vital points.

Key Men

With Michael Lumb absent through injury, the onus to provide the impetus at the top of the batting order will fall on England T20 specialist Alex Hales. The 25-year-old is far from a one-trick pony however, as he demonstrated this week by posting scores of 96 and 94 in Nottinghamshire’s impressive County Championship victory against Middlesex. The in-form batsman has also made runs in the T20 Blast this summer, including a destructive 63 from 32 balls versus Derbyshire and 30 off 16 balls against Birmingham Bears last week.

Despite their poor run of form in the competition of late, the emergence of 21-year-old Tom Wells has been a big positive for the Foxes. A promising all-rounder, who is currently unable to bowl due to a side strain, Wells’ powerful strokeplay (eight sixes in five matches) has led to him becoming a key man in the Foxes middle-order. Currently averaging 70 in the competition this year, Wells made a half century (51) from 30 balls versus Warwickshire and 45* off 28 balls against Worcestershire at home this month.

Team News

Foxes seam bowler Nathan Buck returns to the squad for tonight’s match after his successful return from injury against Worcestershire this week. Dan Redfearn also comes into the squad, with batsman Michael Thornley and spinner James Sykes dropping out.

Leicestershire Foxes squad: Niall O’Brien, Josh Cobb, Greg Smith, Ned Eckersley, Matthew Boyce, Dan Redfern, Tom Wells, Ben Raine, Rob Taylor, Anthony Ireland, Jigar Naik, Nathan Buck, Charlie Shreck.

Outlaws Director of Cricket Mick Newell has added three players to the eleven he selected for last week’s home defeat to the Birmingham Bears. Australian batsman Phil Jaques replaces Michael Lumb, while Luke Fletcher and Sam Kelsall are also in contention.

Nottinghamshire Outlaws squad: Alex Hales, Phil Jaques, James Taylor, Samit Patel, Riki Wessels, Chris Read, Steven Mullaney, Sam Wood, Ajmal Shahzad, Andy Carter, Harry Gurney, Luke Fletcher, Sam Kelsall.

Form 

Leicestershire: LLLLW

Nottinghamshire: LWLLW

Weather and Conditions

A cloudy start to the day is expected in Leicester, however sunny intervals could intervene in time for the match. Highs of 19 degrees celsius.

Date: 19^th June 2014

Ground: Grace Road, Leicestershire

Time: 5.30 pm

Odds: Foxes (7/4) Outlaws (1/2)

 

 

Mitchell guides Rapids to victory against the Foxes

Worcestershire Rapids’ skipper Daryl Mitchell continued his fine form with the bat this season as he guided his team to a five-wicket victory against Leicestershire at Grace Road.

The 30-year-old played a classy but conventional knock rarely seen in the modern T20 format, making 67 from 50 balls including six boundaries and one six.

Needing eight off the final over, Mitchell clipped Rob Taylor’s first ball over square leg for six, before pumping the next ball down the ground to give the Rapids victory with four balls to spare.

Leicestershire had earlier made 164-4 from their 20 overs, with Tom Wells smashing 45* from 28 balls. Wells’ innings included four boundaries and two sixes, while Saeed Ajmal was the pick of the Worcestershire bowlers collecting figures of 2-23.

Worcestershire’s new signing Richard Oliver got the Rapids’ response off to a fast start, as the Shropshire minor counties skipper hit five boundaries off the first three overs, before he was bowled by Ben Raine for 22 (13 balls).

Youngster Thomas Kohler-Cadmore then continued the onslaught, taking Raine for ten off three balls as the Rapids ended the six over powerplay 57-1. He was then caught off Jigar Naik for 23 trying to scoop the ball over short fine leg.

Leicestershire attempted to put the squeeze on with spin from both ends, but the plan failed as Worcestershire’s second overseas player Colin Munro launched James Sykes for 17 off the tenth over.

The Rapids hundred came up in the eleventh over, before Munro was caught by Naik at third man off the pacey Nathan Buck from the final ball of the twelfth for 30. Kervezee was then dismissed by Taylor for 7 with the score at 131-4 and the required rate down to almost a run a ball with five overs left.

Mitchell continued his fine form this season by playing some fine orthodox cricket and even when partner Ross Whiteley departed for 13 in the penultimate over, the Rapids skipper held his nerve to guide the visitors to their third NatWest T20 Blast victory of the summer.

Leicestershire Foxes began their innings strongly thanks to some powerful hitting by opener Josh Cobb (27), who at one stage dispatched left-arm-seamer Jack Shantry (0-42) for 14 off three balls.

Shantry got his own-back however, taking a superb one-handed catch to remove Cobb off a slow-ball bouncer by Chris Russell (2-42). Cobb’s fellow opener Niall O’Brien had got off the mark with a five, but after hitting Chris Russell for six he was caught the next ball for 15.

Smith and Eckersley put on a partnership of 57 for the third wicket, before both were dismissed with the score on 90. Mitchell caught Smith off his own bowling for 24, before snaffling a low catch off Munro to remove Eckersley also for 24.

The pattern continued as Scott Styris and Tom Wells put on 52 for the fifth wicket before Worcestershire took two wickets in two balls. Ajmal had Kiwi Styris caught on the cover boundary for 27, before the Pakistan spinner trapped Rob Taylor lbw for a golden duck.

Wells then ensured the Foxes posted a strong total, as the 21-year-old smashed 19 off Chris Russell’s final over, including a huge six over long-on.

T20 Blast Off – Outlaws v Lightning preview

Trent Bridge plays host to what promises to be one of the most tantalising opening night encounters of the NatWest t20 Blast tonight.

Lancashire Lightning are the visitors to Nottingham, with both squads boasting some of the finest international talent England has to offer.

England’s swing-king James Anderson and wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler both feature in the Lightning squad, while the Outlaws boast an explosive line-up including former t20i number one Alex Hales, Michael Lumb, James Taylor and England new boy Harry Gurney.

Both sides were knocked out in the quarter-final stage of the tournament last year, but having won the ECB 40-over competition last season, the Outlaws are one of the bookies favourites to go all the way to the Edgbaston final.

Neither side has ever won the domestic t20 competition, with Notts finishing as runners-up in 2006 and making finals day in 2010. Lancashire’s best finish was also as runners-up in 2005 and they have also made finals day on four occasions, compared to Nottinghamshire’s two.

The two sides have already faced-off at Trent Bridge this season, with the home side winning the LVCC County Championship Division One match by 45 runs at the beginning of April. Ashwell Prince made a hundred for Lancashire in that match, while James Anderson and Tom Smith both picked up 5 wicket hauls. Nottinghamshire’s seamers shared the wickets around, while Samit Patel and Riki Wessels were both halted in the 90s.

Despite the rainy conditions in the county this week, Nottinghamshire come into the match off the back of a maximum points victory against Northants, in which Australian fast-bowler Peter Siddle and ex-England seamer Ajmal Shahzad both picked up four second innings wickets.

Lancashire on the other hand were defeated by ten wickets at Lord’s against Middlesex. There were some positives as Prince and Buttler continued their early season form with the bat, but the bowlers lacked potency with the ball.

Form in the four-day format will however go out of the window tonight, as one big performance from either of the sides’ international superstars could define the outcome of this game.

Key Men

Although he is yet to become a regular in their Championship side, Alex Hales is still the main man in the game’s shortest format. His breathtaking 116* to single-handedly guide England to victory over Sri Lanka in the World T20 back in March exemplified the sort of destruction he is capable of inflicting. Recalled from his brief loan spell at Worcestershire due to Steven Mullaney’s back injury, Hales was involved in their midweek win against Northamptonshire and he also made a half-century in the early win over Lancashire this summer.

Lightning signed England limited-overs wicketkeeper Jos Buttler from Somerset in the off-season, with the 23-year-old hoping the move might help him snatch the Test match gloves from Matt Prior. While the jury is still out regarding his suitability to the longer form, there is no argument about his one-day credentials. He is tidy with the gloves and utterly enthralling to watch with bat in hand. Buttler is well-known for his innovations and ability to manoeuvre the ball to all parts of the ground, but he also combines this with equally effective power hitting.

Team News

The Notts Outlaws include New-Zealand all-rounder in their squad for the match, while the fitness of seamer Andy Carter is a concern due to back pain. Director of Cricket Mick Newell will be forced to make a late call on the 25-year-old’s fitness, with Gurney, Adams, Shahzad and Luke Fletcher the likely seam attack. Steven Mullaney has recovered from a back strain and after scoring a hundred for the 2^nd XI he is likely to join Hales, Lumb, Taylor, Patel and Wessels in a formidable batting line-up.

Nottinghamshire Outlaws Squad:Alex Hales, Michael Lumb, James Taylor (C), Samit Patel, Riki Wessels, Chris Read, Steven Mullaney, Sam Wood, Ajmal Shahzad, Andy Carter, Harry Gurney, Luke Fletcher, Andre Adams

The Lightning have named a 13-man squad for the match at Trent Bridge, with coach/captain Glenn Chapple handing over the captaincy reigns to batsman Paul Horton. Pakistani overseas player Junaid Khan’s introduction has been delayed following difficulties obtaining his visa, although the left-arm fast bowler could make his Lightning return against Worcestershire Rapids at Emirates Old Trafford on Saturday night. Youngsters Clark, Lilley, White and Reece are likely to compete for the final spots in the eleven, with Alex Davies missing out due to Jos Buttler’s inclusion.

Lancashire Lightning Squad: Paul Horton (c), James Anderson, Karl Brown, Jos Buttler, Jordan Clark, Steven Croft, Alex Davies, Kabir Ali, Arron Lilley, Stephen Parry, Luis Reece, Tom Smith, Wayne White.

Weather and Conditions

The forecast is for overcast conditions but it should remain warm and dry. The possibility of humid weather could help the seam bowlers on a ground that has a reputation for assisting swing. This will please England duo Anderson and Gurney, who opened the bowling together against Scotland last week. The pair will however go head-to-head tonight and could be competing for a place in England’s limited-overs’ line-up against the touring Sri Lankans later this month.

Opta stat

Nottinghamshire Outlaws have won 38, tied one and lost 18 of their 57 completed home Twenty20 matches at Trent Bridge.

Date: 16th May 2014

Ground: Trent Bridge, Nottingham

Time: 6.30 pm 

Graeme Fowler impressed by Durham MCCU recovery at Derbyshire

Durham MCCU coach Graeme Fowler has praised his inexperienced side as they bounced back on the second day of their university match against Derbyshire.

The students were bowled out for only 67 on day one, but recovered well to dismiss the hosts for 428, before finishing 33-1 at the close.

Although his side conceded 71 runs in extras, the former Lancashire and England batsman was pleased to look at the bigger picture.

“Obviously we are a lot happier today than we were yesterday. The extras didn’t worry me too much because it is the first time they have been outside.

“They were rusty, dead nervous and they’ve never played this sort of cricket before.

“They’re vastly inexperienced and that’s what we do it for. It’s a massive thing for them and it’s a wonderful experience.

“It gives Derbyshire great practice and it’s part of the progressive pathway into first-class cricket.”

Durham have eight players making their first-class debuts in the match and the team has an average age of just 20.

And despite the criticism of pre-season university games, Fowler was quick to highlight the benefits for his players.

“If you look at the Derbyshire team, [Tony] Palladino and [David] Wainwright were both at university centres of excellence in the past.

“Andrew Strauss started at Durham University. It’s easy for people to forget that everybody starts somewhere.

“Some people say these games shouldn’t be first class and they are entitled to argue that. But we don’t do it for that, we do it because it’s part of the development pathway.”

With one day still left to play in the match, Durham are facing an uphill struggle to avoid defeat. But Fowler is hopeful his side might be able to snatch a draw.

“Last year, we came here and chased 400 in the second innings and ended up 20 short.

“We came here yesterday and Derbyshire treated us with respect. They won the toss, stuck us in and we got rolled over.

“If we can get out of this with a draw then we will have played exceptionally well.”

 

Ashes abomination

Now for the classified cricket results: Australia 5-0 England. Congratulations to Darren Lehmann and his coaching staff, congratulations to Michael Clarke and the other ten mightily impressive individuals who wore their Baggy Green caps with honour and did their country proud. They batted positively, with purpose and deliberate aggression; they took the game to the opposition bowlers and knocked them off their lengths, before knocking them to all parts of the ground. Ten centuries to the opposition’s one. As for the bowlers they followed their plans, hitting a fuller length consistently, pegging back the English batsmen with sheer pace, before strangling them with their discipline. The fielders helped too, snaffling a good ninety per cent of the catching opportunities offered their way, backing up their bowlers perfectly.

As for England, this is rock bottom. A 5-0 whitewash in a series they were expected to win. Having won the last three Ashes series, there was hope from the travelling fans that this might be a famous fourth victory, a win to confirm England’s dominance over their old rivals. However, the tourists were utterly outclassed in every match, every department and in every possible way. From the moment they were outplayed in the opener at The Gabba, with Jonathan Trott returning home due to a stress-related illness, it looked as if things could continue to get worse; and they did. England’s batsmen had no answer to the pace of Mitchell Johnson, the skill of Ryan Harris, the persistence of Peter Siddle and the gentle off-spin of Nathan Lyon. This record-breaking team became the very first England side to lose all one hundred wickets in an Ashes series. What an incredible achievement, a horrendous low.

For this was perhaps the most devastating aspect of the series, the fact that it was at the very least supposed to be a contest. But no, England were completely annihilated by the Australians. 381 runs, 218 runs, 150 runs, 8 wickets and 281 runs were the margins of victory in the five matches. England failed to even run their opponents close; they failed to make their challengers work for even one of their five victories. Are there enough words in the English language to describe how bad they were? Words for performances so pathetic, pitiful and feeble; a defeat so crushing, humiliating and devastating, from a team so incompetent, abysmal and inept. They say you can’t become a bad team overnight, but somehow England did. Having comfortably won 3-0 in the summer, they lost the war in extraordinary fashion.

From Ashes conquerors, to Ashes captives. English heroes meekly surrendered their swords, spears and bows of burning gold. Not even the Barmy Army’s resounding performances of Jerusalem could inspire their side into battle. England’s typical resistance was replaced by submission. Alastair Cook’s mind was scrambled and his batting subsequently disintegrated. Kevin Pietersen’s ego took an almighty battering; he looked out of sorts with the bat, out of ideas and was without his typical swagger and bravado. Matt Prior’s miserable run of form continued, as his lack of runs combined with some sub-standard wicket keeping saw him lose his place to Jonny Bairstow. Graeme Swann was frequently smashed out of the park by the Australian batters and retired shortly after defeat was confirmed. Jimmy Anderson toiled with little reward, his powers of swing deserting him. Only Stuart Broad and new boy Ben Stokes showed any resilience. Only they will return home with their pride still in tact.

What next then for England? The one-day series provides an immediate opportunity to amend their shortcomings, although even a few victories will not make up for the disappointment of such a catastrophic loss. England must examine themselves, work out how they allowed this to happen and make the necessary changes to make sure that it never happens again. Coach Andy Flower described this as an “end of an era” for his “underperforming” team and stated that this “is a chance for some sort of renewal for the England national cricket team”. If this were the English national football team, that renewal would inevitably involve the introduction of a new head coach and a brand new set of backroom staff. However, whatever one’s opinion on the matter, this will not happen, as Flower is set to continue as team director. It is now the Zimbabwean’s job to try and rebuild this broken team, to get them ready for the visit of India and Sri Lanka this summer, before the Aussies return for the Ashes in 2015.

England in crisis after Ashes defeat

On June 23^rd, Australian cricket was officially plunged into crisis, following the sacking of South African coach Mickey Arthur just seventeen days before the start of the 2013 summer Ashes series. Despite the appointment of new coach Darren Lehmann, Australia could not emerge from the doldrums and England went on to convincingly win the series 3-0.

As we now know, England’s retention of the precious urn did not last long. Just one-hundred-fourteen days on from the final day of fifth Test match at the Oval, England’s grip on the Ashes had already been relinquished, as Australia completed a 3-0 win of their own at the WACA, winning by 150 runs to add to their 381 and 218 run victories in the first and second Tests.

It has been an incredible turnaround by coach Darren Lehmann, captain Michael Clarke and their boys in Baggy Green, but for England, the series has been a complete catastrophe. The tourists have not just lost every game, they have been utterly humiliated and totally outplayed in every department. The batsmen have failed to put together a first innings score of any consequence; the fielders have dropped a number of significant chanced; the seamers have toiled unsuccessfully; whilst the spinners have been carted out of the park and out of the attack.

As three coin-toss defeats out of three for Alastair Cook suggests, England’s luck has run out. Thus far in the series, very few positives can be taken from England’s performances. Australia’s bowlers have gelled supremely as a unit and their batsmen have played with aggression, consistently putting together good partnerships and big totals. England have simply had no answer, no Plan B to counteract Australia’s dominance. The English players have wilted in the heat and under the pressure of a hostile media campaign and a brand of cricket to back it up.

Alastair Cook has done his best as a captain, but there is no doubt that the mental toil of captaincy has taken its toll on his batting. Kevin Pietersen remains England’s greatest enigma, the superstar batsmen lacking in common sense and any consideration of a cautious mindset. Could the scorer of 8,000 Test match runs have played his last for England? Matt Prior’s form has been simply woeful, particularly with the bat, whilst his glove work has also come under scrutiny after a poor performance at Perth. He too is another man some are suggesting is past his best, along with experienced spinner Graeme Swann and swing machine (but not with the Kookaburra ball it seems) James Anderson.

Whilst it is unlikely the later two will be dropped, there is a distinct possibility that Jonny Bairstow could replace Prior behind the stumps in Melbourne. Fellow-Yorkshireman Gary Ballance could also feature, but it remains to be seen whether one of the three big seamers will get an opportunity. Steven Finn, Boyd Rankin and Chris Tremlett have all been criticised for not pushing their case heavily enough in what ought to be perfect conditions for tall fast-bowlers Down Under.

There is a slight silver lining to the horizon. Michael Carberry has come in at the top of the order and batted with maturity and composure, but at the age of 33, it is unlikely he play a part in future Ashes series. Joe Root, promoted to no.3 due to the unfortunate departure of Jonathan Trott, will be a key man for England in the coming years, but he still has a long way to go before he reaches his full potential. Ian Bell has shown glimpses of his class, whilst Ben Stokes underlined his promise with a maiden Test century at the WACA.

There are two Tests left in the series, but the outcome of the final two games is redundant, for Australia have already regained the Ashes. Regardless of the reasons for their performances, the inquest has well and truly begun. Question marks hang over the heads of a number of key players and also over the future of coach Andy Flower, although the Zimbabwean is remaining tight-lipped on the subject. England must try to regain a little pride from the Melbourne and Sydney Tests, show some backbone, and avoid a 5-0 series whitewash. If they were to do so once again, it could have disastrous consequences for English cricket.

Bailey selection a no-brainer

Australia today named their squad ahead of the first Ashes Test against England, notably including left-arm paceman Mitchell Johnson and uncapped batsman George Bailey.

Although Bailey is yet to make his Test debut, the 31-year-old Tasmanian has a wealth of international experience, having skippered both the ODI and t20 sides. Bailey’s form in limited-overs cricket has given the Australian selectors little choice but to pick him and he will surely slot straight into the XI at no.6.

Having been selected ahead of fellow Tasmanian Alex Doolan because of his superior international pedigree, the consistency of Bailey’s performances since his debut in March 2012 has been extremely impressive. In his 35 one-day matches for Australia, Bailey has scored 1539 runs at an average of 54.96, with only India’s Virat Kohli scoring more ODI runs in that time period. In addition, in their recent one-day series, Bailey made four scores of 80+ against India, including a knock of 156 from 114 balls.

But despite his emphatic form for Australia over the past year, Bailey made only 256 runs at 18.28 in the domestic Sheffield Shield competition and thus question marks remain over whether he can replicate his form in the shorter formats in Test cricket. National selector John Inverarity was quick to point out that in the previous Down Under, Bailey made 697 Shield runs at a significantly healthier average of 58.08.

Regardless of the statistics, it is clear that Bailey oozes international quality and possesses all the necessary skills to be successful in the Test arena. England’s bowlers found themselves on the receiving end of his powerful stroke play at the back end of the summer, when Bailey made scores of 82, 87 and 4 in the NatWest ODI series. Subsequently, Bailey will know what to expect from this current England attack and he will be extremely confident that he has the ability to score runs against it.

Whilst he is widely known for his powerful stroke play, Bailey’s technique is solid and he is compact in defence. His attacking instincts are perfectly suited to the aggressive brand of Test cricket Australia will look to play. Alongside Chris Rogers, David Warner, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke, Steve Smith and wicket-keeper Brad Haddin, Bailey’s inclusion means the Australian batting line-up suddenly looks strong and balanced. The Baggie Greens’ Achilles heel in England was their inconsistent batting line-up, which subsequently produced erratic batting displays. However, their weakness in the summer could prove to be their greatest strength this time around.

Thus with his recent form against India in mind, Bailey is a player who could play a critical role in Australia’s attempts to regain the Ashes. His form alone demands that his is one of the first names on the team sheet for the first Test at The Gabba.

English Counties high points of the season – 2013

Derbyshire

County Championship: 8^th (Div 1)

YB40: 6^th (Group B)

FLt20: 5^th (North Group)

High points: Despite being relegated from the first division of the County Championship, Captain Wayne Madsen scored 1,221 Championship runs in 2013 and as a result was rewarded with the Cricket Writers’ Club County Championship Player of the Year award. Chesney Hughes’ was another batsman who shone, with his 270 versus Yorkshire a particular highlight.

 

Durham

County Championship: 1^st (Div 1)

YB40: 4^th (Group B)

FLt20: Quarter-finals

High points: Winning the County Championship Division One. An eight-wicket victory over Nottinghamshire in their penultimate fixture gave Durham an unassailable lead over nearest title-rivals Yorkshire, as they claimed their first Championship success since winning back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2009. Graham Onions led the way with 70 Championship wickets, whilst Scott Borthwick and Mark Stoneman both made over 1,000 Championship runs.

 

Essex

County Championship: 3^rd (Div 2)

YB40: 2^nd (Group B)

FLt20: Semi-finals

High points: Success on all fronts, but the bowling of Graham Napier was a particular highlight for the Eagles.

 

Glamorgan

County Championship: 8^th (Div 2)

YB40: Runners-up

FLt20: 3^rd (Midlands, Wales & West Group)

High points: Getting to the Yorkshire Bank 40 final against Lord’s was a testament to the progress Glamorgan are making, especially as a one-day outfield. Australian overseas fast bowler Michael Hogan took 67 Championship wickets and 103 in all competitions, whilst Jim Allenby scored 1,925 runs in total across all three formats. one-day form and also took 40 wickets.

 

Gloucestershire

County Championship: 6^th (Div 2)

YB40: 4^th (Group C)

FLt20: 6^th (Midlands, Wales & West Group)

High points: Will Gidman’s remarkable performance against Leicestershire.

 

Hampshire

County Championship: 4^th (Div 2)

YB40: Semi-finals

FLt20: Semi-finals

High points: Michael Carberry’s runs.

 

Kent

County Championship: 7^th (Div 2)

YB40: 4^th (Group A)

FLt20: 5^th (South Group)

High points: In an otherwise disappointing season, it was a year of dramatic run chases for Kent. The Spitfires broke a 40-over cricket world record when they chased down the Sussex Shark’s score of 336-5 in their YB40 group stage match at Canterbury. Darren Stevens 44-ball-ton was the fastest century of the entire summer and it was his efforts, along with Sam Northeast’s maiden List A hundred, that led the Spitfires to an unlikely victory.

 

Lancashire

County Championship: 1^st (Div 2)

YB40: 3^rd (Group B)

FLt20: Quarter-finals

High points: Winning Division Two of the County Championship. The Lightning almost went the whole summer without losing a match in the domestic four-day competition, only to be undone in their final game by an incredible Darren Stevens knock (205*) as Kent chased down a mammoth 418 to end the streak. But this defeat was not enough to dampen a hugely impressive season for Lancashire in the competition.

 

Leicestershire

County Championship: 9^th (Div 2)

YB40: 5^th (Group C)

FLt20: 4^th (North Group)

High points: The form of batsman Ned Eckersley. In his most prolific season to date, the former wicket-keeper-turned-batter made 1,275 runs including four centuries and four fifties.

 

Middlesex

County Championship: 5^th (Div 1)

YB40: 3^rd (Group C)

FLt20: 4^th (South Group)

High points: Their Australian batsmen.

 

Northamptonshire

County Championship: 2^nd (Div 2)

YB40: 2^nd (Group A)

FLt20: Winners

High points: Winning the Friends Life Twenty20 competition and gaining promotion to Division One in the County Championship. David Willey’s blistering 60 from just 27 balls got the Steelbacks off to a flyer at Edgbaston against Surrey, before one-day captain Alex Wakely (59*) and overseas-Aussie Cameron White (54*) steered their team to a formidable total of 194-2. David Willey’s hat-trick sealed the deal as Northants bowled Surrey out for just 92 to claim their first domestic t20 title.

 

Nottinghamshire

County Championship: 7^th (Div 1)

YB40: Winners

FLt20: Quarter-finals

High points: Winning the Yorkshire Bank 40-over competition. Having topped Group A with an impressive record of nine wins and three losses, the Outlaws blew away Somerset’s batsmen in the semi-final, bowling Marcus Trescothick’s men out for just 119. In the final, Glamorgan put up a significantly better fight, however, Notts conquered thanks to a 99-run fifth-wicket partnership between veteran skipper Chris Read and experienced overseas David Hussey. The Outlaws total of 244-8 proved to be too many for Glamorgan, who were bowled out for 157, with Samit Patel, Stuart Broad and Ajmal Shahzad taking three wickets apiece.

 

Somerset

County Championship: 6^th (Div 1)

YB40: Semi-finals

FLt20: Quarter-finals

High points: The performances of their young Englishman.

 

Surrey

County Championship: 9^th (Div 1)

YB40: 5^th (Group B)

FLt20: Runners-up

High points: Reaching the Friends Life Twenty20 final was a fantastic achievement for Surrey, although everyone connected with the club will have been largely disappointed with the overall outcome of the season. In a season in which Surrey almost had more overseas players than victories, the Oval-boys won just one Championship match all summer and were subsequently relegated. Thus, their t20 performances, plus eighteen-year-old Dom Sibley’s outstanding 242 in their final game, shows there is hope for the future.

 

Sussex

County Championship: 3^rd (Div 1)

YB40: 3^rd (Group A)

FLt20: 6^th (South Group)

High points: Their County Championship season.

 

Warwickshire

County Championship: 4^th (Div 1)

YB40: 7^th (Group A)

FLt20: 4^th (Midlands, Wales & West Group)

High points: The emergence of their home-grown talent.

 

Worcestershire

County Championship: 5^th (Div 2)

YB40: 5^th (Group A)

FLt20: 5^th (Midlands, Wales & West Group)

High points: The efforts of two men: Moeen Ali and Alan Richardson. Ali scored more runs than any player in Division Two of the County Championship (1,375) and amassed over 2,000 runs in all forms of cricket. He also chipped in with 55 wickets and has subsequently been called up to the England Performance Squad for their winter tour of Australia. As for Richardson, the 38-year-old seamer took 68 Championship wickets at 19.83, including career-best figures of 8-37 against Gloucestershire.

 

Yorkshire

County Championship: 2^nd (Div 1)

YB40: 6^th (Group C)

FLt20: 6^th (North Group)

High points: Scoring a mountain of runs to finish a deserved second in the County Championship Division One. Remarkably eight different Yorkshire batsman made Championship hundreds in 2013 (plus, Kiwi-overseas Kane Williamson fell just short, making 97 against Sussex) with three of those batters (Joe Root, Alex Lees and Andrew Gale) made double-centuries. Root, Jonny Bairstow and Gary Ballance have all since been selected in the touring party for the Ashes Down Under this winter, whilst Lees will also travel with the Performance squad.