England may have been beaten by New Zealand at home, and are due to play five Tests against India later this summer, but all the attention is on the Ashes. It\u2019s inevitable because the closer the competition gets, the more intense the media scrutiny. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everything from the ECB\u2019s selection choices to the rotation policy showcases their intentions for the winter. However, whether Joe Root and Chris Silverwood are right to look past their next opponents is debatable. Winning an Ashes series is the pinnacle, but have England got what it takes? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everyone who follows Joe Root\u2019s team knows that they are unpredictable. One minute they destroy Sri Lanka in their backyard and go one-nil up against India in India, and the next they lose that series and are beaten by New Zealand. Plus, the side\u2019s record Down Under is dismal, with the last series ending in a whitewash. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not shocking that the bookies had the home side as short as 1\/4 at points, especially when the shaky England batting line-up proved it can be blown away by lesser bowling attacks. However, it isn\u2019t plain sailing for the Aussies since their preparation for a home Ashes series is going to be marred by a lack of playing time mixed with a flurry of activity<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n By the time the two teams meet in December, Australia will only have played a single Test against Afghanistan. That will be one of their first since losing to India last January. The good news for England fans is that this is reflected in the Cricket betting odds as Australia<\/strong><\/a> are still the favourites, but have gone out to 8\/15. England, meanwhile, are going under the radar at 11\/4. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Although England\u2019s batting order doesn\u2019t inspire confidence, it\u2019s hard to deny that they will be short of match practice when the first ball is bowled in anger at the Gabba. Aside from a pretty heavy schedule towards the end of 2020, the ECB has arranged for an array of Tests from now until September. <\/p>\n\n\n\n New Zealand have been and gone, but India\u2019s players still need to prove that they can manage English conditions after being beaten by the Kiwis in the final of the inaugural World Test Championship. Combine the series with the fact that England will have taken on the two best sides in world cricket, and Root will be confident that his men will be sharp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021\/22 summer of cricket will be headlined by the men’s and women’s #Ashes<\/a> series! Stronger Prep for England <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fans can buy their tickets today through an early access window exclusively for our interstate travel program: https:\/\/t.co\/IPV70lgiKu<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/hKCBZNrtfG<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) May 18, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote>