Ashes 2015: Pre-series watchlist

The English and the Aussies are ready to battle for the urn for the third time in two years 

 

After many months and days of anticipation, many opinions and suggestions heard, The Ashes is almost upon us.

25 days of intriguing and absorbing (hopefully) Test cricket to be played and I am eagerly waiting to follow the game closely as always

I prepared a watchlist of events to follow during this series.

Here are few important ones:

 

England:

1. Cook's captaincy- Team selection might not be a surprise for many. English cricket would make sure no rash decisions are being made at least in team selection. Captain Cook will be observed for his tactics on field: Field placement, Bowling instructions, Spin bowling spells and many more.
2. Can the golden boy Joe Root emerge as a champion?  There are lot of expectations on this kid and he failed them only in very few occasions. These five tests might as well be the most important matches he ever played in his career.He might end up being English skipper at the end of this series
3. Ian Bell- Gary Ballance conundrum: There are always players who seek to meet the expectations around them and few others wish to 'correct' the expectations. Bell and Ballance would be under serious pressure to perform and set the expectations back in their favor.
4. Spin Bowling- Moeen Ali might as well be fighting for his spot in this English lineup and he would hope he stays there as long as possible. He might be preferred over Adil Rashid at least in the first Test and would wish to prove his selection.
5. Slip catching: In this modern era of fielding practices, it's nothing less than a horrendous crime to drop catches and England slip fielding had nothing been but pathetic over the past few months. Have they learnt anything from their past failures?

 

Australia:

1. World's Best player: Steven Smith will definitely be burdened with the expectations around him. He now bats at No.3 and everyone understands that additional responsibility that position would impose on him.
2. Adam Voges and Shane Watson: Shane Watson might get a lucky nod and you could think that the retirement of Ryan Harris has something to do with it. He should get his rhythm back and the longer he takes for it, the higher are his chances to be excluded from the playing XI. On the other hand,Adam Voges is enjoying his international test inclusions. He needs to keep going as much as he can since age might catch up sometime soon.
3. Mitchells - Johnson had a dream run in their 5-0 win  back home  not long ago but the past few months have been tough for him. He could expect no better stage than the Ashes for him to get back into his groove. Starc is slowly taking over as the leader of the Australian bowling attack. This Ashes might just be the right series for him.
4. Wicket Keeping: Brad Haddin might have produced some of the best performances in his career but the time is running out for him. There are not many Wicket Keepers out there for Aussies and the moment they find one suitor, he might be asked to make way.
5. Sledging: Aussies are known to play their brand of aggressive cricket. They never backed down for the fight and are always ready to give it a go.

 

Can Australia hold on to the 'Precious' or are England capable of creating an 'upset'.