Former England batting coach Mark Ramprakash has delivered a stunningly confident prediction for the upcoming Ashes series, claiming he cannot remember ever being so optimistic about England's chances at the start of an away Ashes campaign.
Australia's Injury Crisis Creates Golden Opportunity
Ramprakash's confidence stems from a perfect storm of circumstances favouring the tourists. He points to significant weaknesses in the Australian camp, notably the absence of their captain and premier fast bowler Pat Cummins, alongside the reliable Josh Hazlewood for the crucial first Test in Perth.
This leaves Australia's bowling attack looking threadbare. Mitchell Starc, who turns 36 in January, faces immense pressure to lead the attack, a burden he has rarely shouldered for a full five-Test series in recent years.
The concerns extend to the batting line-up, which Ramprakash describes as being in disarray. He highlights the potential for a 31-year-old debutant to open alongside a 38-year-old veteran, a combination he views as vulnerable against England's strong seam attack.
England's Strengths and the 'Bazball' Mentality
In contrast, Ramprakash sees an England side that is strong, settled, and battle-hardened. He believes their top seven batsmen have ample Test experience and runs behind them, putting them in a prime position to capitalise on Australia's depleted bowling.
The former coach places particular importance on the fitness of all-rounder Ben Stokes, stating unequivocally that if Stokes plays all five Tests, England will win the Ashes comfortably.
While acknowledging Australia's key strengths in spinner Nathan Lyon and the prolific Steve Smith, Ramprakash is confident England's aggressive 'Bazball' approach can neutralise them. He expects batsmen like Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Zak Crawley to attack Lyon, forcing defensive field settings and creating scoring opportunities.
The Crucial First Test in Perth
All roads lead to the opening Test at Perth Stadium, which Ramprakash identifies as absolutely pivotal. He believes England have a golden chance to seize the initiative against a weakened opponent on what is expected to be a good batting surface.
On the bowling front, he names Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse as the first two on the team sheet, viewing Mark Wood and Jofra Archer as valuable assets if they can manage three games each.
Despite his overwhelming optimism, Ramprakash expresses one area of concern: England's preparations. He feels the team would have benefited from a proper first-class warm-up match rather than a runout in the park against the reserves, citing the need for players to adjust to the Kookaburra ball and Australian conditions properly.
Nevertheless, his final assessment is overwhelmingly positive. He describes an Ashes tour as the ultimate experience for an English cricketer and believes this current squad has a magnificent opportunity to win back the Ashes by starting strongly in Perth and maintaining their momentum throughout the series.
