by England have played two Tests since the last Ashes series but already signs are emerging in India of the teams that will challenge Australia at the end of 2025.
Chief among them is Ben Stokes, who is said to be more committed to his role as England Test captain now than ever, having recovered from knee surgery. He already seems extremely fit and agile again.
Stokes only had his operation in November, which was more serious than it was made out to be at the time. After that it was unclear whether he would be fit enough to start this series, let alone against Australia, but just eight weeks later he is in good shape, as shown by two excellent pieces of fielding. : his diving run from Ravindra Jadeja in the first Test and his galloping and swooping catch in the deep of Shreyas Iyer in Vizag.
Before his surgery, the next Ashes tour felt a long way off for Stokes who has put his body through immense physical strain during his career, but barring any break, his rigorous rehabilitation regime, which included using his own strength and conditioning coach alongside the. The ECB staff, as well as giving up alcohol and cutting back on golf, are working.
Now he seems too excited to lead England in Australia in 18 months’ time to deny his project with Brendon McCullum. “He’s striking fit. He’s putting in the work and he’s moving so well,” McCullum said. “It’s hard to believe it’s only been eight weeks since he had an operation but the level of commitment he’s put back into it. so he will do whatever he can to push himself. We are very happy with where it is.”
Stokes considered catching himself in the second Test as a moment when it became clear to him that he was above the knee. “When I had extra coverage I felt like I could move a lot better, throwing the ball out of consideration, so for me, before the operation, that was something I found very difficult and not much I trust him to do it,” he said. said.
“I don’t think I would have been able to make that catch before this operation but the way I was able to move, the freedom I felt, picking up the ball was unbelievable. I can’t remember the last time I had hay fever because I never dived because I was worried about my knee. I feel very good about my knee. It worked very hard to get to where I am now. Definitely ahead of schedule from when I went under the knife.”
But it is not just Stokes’ exercise that has crystallized matters. Ollie Pope joined the leadership group on this tour and was much more involved in decision-making than last summer when he was appointed vice-captain for the first time. Stokes called him to the meeting with McCullum the day before the Test when they inspected the pitch and decided on the selection. Of course, he needs to maintain the form he started the series in Hyderabad with in the long term, but Pope looks set to head to Australia as vice-captain four years on from their barnstorming He lowered it, definitely now.
Crawley is becoming a consistent Test opener
Zak Crawley has matured into a Test opener over the past six months, justifying the patience of Stokes and McCullum as well as living up to the promise seen by many former top-class professionals who picked him out of the wreckage that was on the last tour of the ashes. as a prospect for the future.
Ricky Ponting said he showed the “mettle, he showed the fight, he showed the intent” of true batting talent when he scored 77 in Sydney giving a glimpse of the Bazball attack before McCullum came along. Crawley has backed his Ashes with two fifties in Vizag, averaging 53 at a strike rate of 85 since the start of last summer.
His defense and judgment of what to play at that time has improved and that is the difference from Crawley in 2022. A big century in India feels close, if he can capitalize on his starts. Suddenly it ceased to be a wicket that the opposition really thought was vital.
Rehan Ahmed is emerging as a possible first-choice spinner for England, which is a big plus with the Ashes in mind as touring finger spinners are rarely successful in Australia. In 2010-11, when England won 3-1, Graeme Swann still averaged under 40. Ahmed’s slender spin and batting offer more of a complete package than Jack Leach in Australia, if he continues to develop.
Even James Anderson can’t be ruled out for another Ashes tour now. It seems unbelievable but his resurrection in the second Test after a poor summer proved that he was just down to fitness and form against Australia rather than worn out and ready to retire. The Test specialists now have a well-managed diary. After this tour, Anderson will not play again for England until July. There is also a six month break at the end of December until the summer of 2025. Anderson certainly won’t be on the next Ashes tour at the age of 43, but it’s impossible to write off any aspect of this team right now.
