Ashes 2017/18: Shane Warne Backs Old Warhorses to be England’s Keys
Nov 16, 2017 at 10:56 AM
Former Australia spin spearhead and Ashes great Shane Warne has backed England’s old warhorses, Stuart Broad and James Anderson to play a decisive role for the tourists in the forthcoming Ashes.
With Ben Stokes not being in the squad at the moment, many have already predicted that Joe Root & Co. would find it extremely difficult to retain the urn they won at home a couple of years ago.
However, Warne feels the fact with most of the England players touring Australia for the first time; it is a positive for the visitors before stating that Broad and Anderson would be the key for them.
“One real positive for Root’s team is a lot of them are first-time Ashes tourists so everything is exciting. They are up for a challenge. However it is two old hands who could be the key for England,” Warne was quoted as saying by Metro.
Anderson was one of the protagonists of England’s historic Ashes win Down Under in 2010/11 when he finished the series as the wicket-taker, picking up 24 wickets.
However, the England pace spearhead had a forgettable outing when his side toured Australia in 2013 and suffered a humiliating 5-0 whitewash. In a series where Australia pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson had picked up a staggering 37 wickets, he had managed just 14 wickets.
The right-arm pacer looked in good form in this year’s home season, and Warne feels Anderson will be desperate to overcome his failure. On the other hand, Broad, who had a good outing in 2013/14 series, was also in good form at home.
“Anderson has struggled with the Kookaburra ball and in the Ashes generally. But watching him over the English summer, I think he’s bowling better than ever. At 35, this will be his last Ashes series a player and he will be desperate to right past failures. His partner in crime, Broad, has also struggled here but he too has been in super form and, importantly, he’s got his pace back. They form a wonderful opening bowling partnership,” Warne said.
Warne also said the top-order of both the teams could decide the outcome of the five-match series before adding that an upset is possible if England starts the series well.
“On paper, Australia win the series, but it could come down to the main men with the bat– David Warner and Smith and Alastair Cook and Root,” he opined. “If England fire in the first two Tests where pitches will favour swing bowling this Ashes contest has the potential to be the best since 2005.”
Also Read: (Ashes 2017/18: Shane Bond Advises England Bowlers Ahead of Brisbane Test)
(The Ashes 2017/18: With Ben Being Away All Of Us Have Got To Step Up: Chris Woakes)
Video of the day: