Ashes Scout: England’s stunning win over India highlights six danger signs for Australia

This summer’s Ashes series is going to be a cracker, perhaps the close contest we’ve been secretly craving for half a century. And all signs point to England having Australia covered on several fronts.

Australia beware. England are armed and dangerous.

This summer’s Ashes series is going to be a cracker, perhaps the close contest we’ve been secretly craving for half a century.

Let’s get serious about this. England’s five-wicket win over India at Leeds where they chased down 370 in the last innings was one of the most extraordinary wins in Test history.

England are humming heading into the Ashes. Picture: Darren Staples/AFP

It was only the second time a side that has made five – repeat five – centuries in a Test has lost the match.

That jaw dropping stat is unlikely to ever be repeated in the five-day game and it has left India feeling like a heavyweight boxer who saw an open chin, wound up and unleashed the sweetest right hook you’ve ever seen … only to see their opponent smile and say “is that all you have got?”

It booms out a message to Australia they had better bring their A game next summer.

At one stage in their first innings, India were 3-430 … and lost. Unthinkable.

England have their soft spots – a very modest spinner and a willing but hardly dam busting attack – but here are six reasons for Australia to be on red alert after Leeds.

BATTING CLASS

England have the world’s top two ranked batsmen – Joe Root and the brilliant Harry Brook – and a better, more settled top three than Australia. They have the firepower to keep Australia’s ageing attack in the field for lengthy periods. That is how you beat Australia in Australia.

THE THIRD GEAR

This is a big one. After the Flash Harry, hang on to your hat madness of Bazball Mark I, England have pulled back slightly to find a still robust but less risky third gear. They did brilliantly to skate along at 4.5 runs per over in both innings without ever looking like lids were popping off saucepans.

STOKE IT UP

Ben Stokes return as a bowler – he took five wickets in Leeds – has enormous significance. If England are to beat Australia they must have five genuine bowling options and Stokes gives them that. Whether Stokes can bowl in Australia is the single biggest variable in the entire series.

The return of Ben Stokes as a bowler is a game-changer for England. Picture: AP Photo/Scott Heppell

ALL FOR ONE

Many English teams coming to Australia have lacked unity and clarity of vision. This one looks united. Their bowling does not take the breath away but remember this win was achieved without speed merchants Jofra Archer and Mark Wood who could be injected next summer.

THE SHORT TAIL

Australian bowling attacks love ransacking England tails on Australian soil but this English lower order has some impressive fibre. Keeper Jamie Smith averages 42 in Tests and No 8 Chris Woakes, admittedly a risky choice in Australia, has 10 first class centuries.

England look a united outfit heading into the Ashes. Picture: Darren Staples/AFP

FLAT OR FAST

For decades Australia believed the best way to beat England in Australia was to toss up true decks and let the tourists bowlers wilt to oblivion with the venomless Kookaburra ball.

That is a risky tactic now with the chance that England’s batting is as strong – perhaps stronger – than Australia’s and loves hunting down big totals.

But if curators go the other way and dish up spicy decks they may bring Englands seamers firmly into play in conditions they crave.

Interesting times ahead.