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It was all doom and gloom as far as I was concerned the day England announced their Ashes squad. Where was the fire? Where was the aggression? The pace? I couldn’t see anything other than a 5-0 Australia win. But things have changed.
Not only have they added a fit-again Ben Stokes — and I’m told he is firing on all cylinders — but there has been a massive shifting of the goalposts. And that’s left me feeling much more optimistic. I’ll now go 4-0 to the tourists!
My Ashes experiences of Brisbane as an England player in 1974-75 and as coach in 1998-99 were both affected by weather — it rained so much in 1998 that the tunnel down to the dressing rooms was like a river — and it looks as though the same could happen this week and beyond.
Ben Stokes could be the difference as England's Ashes tour in Australia begins this week
Joe Root's side will start their Ashes campaign at the Gabba in Brisbane this week
There’s been no real preparation of the first Test pitch. That means the pace and bounce that makes the Gabba a fortress will be negated. And the forecast remains for storms during the Test.
It sounds like it’s going to be an English early-season type seaming pitch with no great pace, which brings England right into this Ashes — even though their almost complete lack of preparation is a real
