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Sky Sports pundit Michael Atherton believes England should be heartened and not intimidated ahead of a massive year of Test cricket, highlighting the current ‘vulnerabilities’ of both India and Australia.
Ben Stokes’ side host India in a five Test series beginning in June before heading to Australia in the winter to tackle the World Test Championship finalists in the Ashes, and the former England captain believes both sides have displayed weaknesses during the recent keenly contested Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
“It was interesting from an England perspective as both sides’ batting struggled, and England’s think tank will have gained some encouragement as they have five Tests coming up against India and five in the Ashes,” Atherton told the Sky Cricket podcast.
“Both sides’ batting looks vulnerable – India struggled, and Australia struggled.
“I think there is encouragement there for England. Usman Khuwaja struggled at the top of the order and Smith, although he got two hundreds, didn’t quite seem the player he once was.
“Labuschagne struggled, Mitch Marsh was dropped and Alex Carey looked vulnerable when the ball was coming back into him.
“So, unlike perhaps 20-30 years ago when you looked down the Aussie line up and asked yourself ‘how are we going to get 20 wickets here?’, I can see an avenue for England – if they have all their bowlers fit – where there might be some possibilities.”
England’s seamers will also be heartened by a subtle change in conditions Down Under which meant that there were times in an enthralling series where more bowler friendly conditions were on offer.
Atherton continued: “At times, the pitches were quite helpful – that Sydney pitch certainly was – and the new Kookaburra (ball) seems to have a bit more lacquer and is a bit more Duke like and doesn’t go completely flat in 15-20 overs.
“For Australia, that bowling attack is very interesting as Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood have held sway for so long, while Boland is a superb back-up.
“However, they’re no spring chickens; Cummins is 31, Hazlewood is 33 or 34 and Starc is 35 so another 12 months and you’d think they would be in the twilight of a fast bowler’s career, although Jimmy Anderson may suggest that you can stretch that!”
