30 July 2019, by: The Popping Crease

THE ASHES: SMITH AND WARNER IN SEARCH OF REDEMPTION

One of Test cricket’s greatest rivalries resumes this week, as England and Australia commence the five-Test Ashes series at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

Steven Smith and David Warner make their long awaited return to Test cricket and what a series to announce themselves. Will the pair continue their superb form from the World Cup?

It is time for the epic battle, between old rivals, England and Australia, as The Ashes is set to begin on August 1.

Five Tests to see whether Australia retain the Ashes or England, regain it. It will also be the first Test series for former Australian captain, Steve Smith, who was banned for 12 months following the events that transpired in Cape Town in March 2018.

Smith made his return to International Cricket in the Cricket World Cup and the home support of England made their feelings quite clear when Smith took to the field or was batting. Loud boos rang around the ground, which only spurred Smith on, as he scored 379 runs in the World Cup, which included four half-centuries.

You cannot keep a good player down, and Steve Smith is definitely one of the best. His skill set of patience, resolve, and an array of unique shots in his arsenal is impressive. He boasts a Test batting average of 61, no other top-order batsman can say the same.

Australia’s Test team relatively inexperienced, with newcomers like Alex Carey and others like Shaun Marsh and Usman Khawaja seemingly always fighting for their place in the side. Australia will, therefore, be heavily reliant on Smith having a good series.

Smith is no longer captain, but I anticipate a battle forming between him and England skipper Joe Root. Who will score the most runs? Who will be the more defining player? Who will be on the winning side?

Australians are tough and they don’t lie down without a fight. The next few weeks promise to be interesting.

David Warner is the player who we all love to hate. His arrogance, his bravado, his attitude is sometimes over the top and we all love to see his wicket fall, or is that only me? Nevertheless, Warner is a key component to Australia’s Test team and one they sorely missed over the past year, during his suspension.

The left hander averages 48 in Test Cricket and seemed to relish the opportunity to play at the top-level again. His scores in the 2019 edition of the IPL were simply sublime, scoring six half-centuries, and one
century. His performances in the Cricket World Cup just as noteworthy. He scored 647 runs, at a highly impressive average of 72, with three half-centuries and three centuries.

With his short stature and a feisty attitude, he is always going to be a prized wicket for any opposition bowler. We just have to remember how pumped-up Kagiso Rabada gets when bowling to him.

Warner will be relishing the prospect of coming out to bat on the morning of the 1st Ashes Test, on August 1 and look to make a statement. He is back and he means business.

Australia will be looking for that aggression to be channelled correctly and for Warner to allow his bat to do the talking for him. He is a supremely talented batsman, with a lot of innovation in his game. He can take the game away from the opposition in one session, and that is where England will worry.

Their new ball opening pair, although having been very successful in-home conditions over the past few years, will know that they cannot intimidate Warner. He will be looking to dictate to them.

As was seen in the World Cup, the heckling from the England crowd, which were meant to distract the Australian, only proved to motivate him much as it did with Smith.

Warner seems to be in a different mindset since his ban, he seems more focused. England should be cautious. Things are about to get very intriguing. He’s a player we love to hate, but my personal dislike in the England team may just trump that.

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