England went into the Ashes as underdogs, but their positivity in the first Test sent Australia a stark reminder that the hosts will not be bowled over easily.
Prior to the match, Three Lions legend Ian Botham urged the current crop of players to put the Baggy Green on the back foot. It appears they took heed, taking charge thanks largely to Joe Root’s ton in the first innings, which proved the sixth-fastest century in an Ashes Test. Gary Ballance, too, was able to put his recent struggle for form aside to hit 61. Ian Bell, another batsman who has much to prove this series, persevered after a difficult first innings to score an important 60 second time around.
Having stormed to victory by 169 runs, it is unsurprising that England are attracting glowing reviews. The battle for the Ashes, though, is one of the most notoriously arduous in cricket. It is for this reason that England must continue with the kind of positivity that was so noticeable in Cardiff.
Fortunately, there were positives aplenty to take from the first four days. Root’s knock once again pointed to what many have predicted for a couple of years: the Yorkshireman’s potential as a future England captain.
Moeen Ali’s performance was another highlight. ‘The Beard that’s Feared’ not only smashed a quick-fire 77 off just 88 balls, but topped it off with five wickets, including that of Australia captain Michael Clarke.
Given the timing of England’s sudden upturn in fortune, there is every indication that new head coach Trevor Bayliss might have something to do with it. Too often, change at the top has been made for the sake of change, but the appointment of the former New South Wales man has lifted the mood of the camp markedly.
Undoubtedly, Peter Moores’ reign came to an end at a time when there was a tangible lull in England’s spirits. As much as Bayliss has praised the players, few have overlooked his role in the new, positive atmosphere in the dressing room. So much has been written about the dynamics of that dressing room since Pietersen-gate, that it is a pleasant change to see England coming together as they have done over the past couple of months.
That said, the second Test might not be so easy. The two sides will meet at Lord’s on Thursday 16th, but the quicker pitch could favour the Aussies’ attack. England’s groundsmen will no doubt be doing everything they can to alter that, but it would be foolish to write off Darren Lehmann’s men with such a major factor working for them.
However, cracks are already beginning to show in the opposition camp, a setback which England must take advantage of. Lehmann has come under fire for selecting an aging team, and though they will have their own point to prove, England can use the opportunity to apply even more pressure.
With that in mind, it is crucial that England harness momentum from the game at the SWALEC stadium. For those that struggled with the bat – including Alistair Cook and Adam Lyth – the rest of the series will be a tough test, but both players took some important catches in the field.
England are more than capable of another convincing win, and although there is still so much to play for, all the signs are there that they can top off a complex year on and off the field by regaining the coveted Ashes.
