Greg Chappell lauds England’s young team to dominate Australia in Ashes

New Delhi, Jan 11, 2025-
Former Australia cricketer Greg Chappell, delved into England’s meteoric rise under the transformative leadership of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, contrasting it with the stagnation and structural challenges facing Australian cricket ahead of next Ashes series.

England’s turnaround has been nothing short of extraordinary. Under the captaincy of Ben Stokes and the innovative coaching of Brendon McCullum, the team has embraced a fearless brand of cricket that prioritizes expression over caution. Chappell lauded this transformation, highlighting that England is no longer content with competing; they aim to dominate.

“England, under the bold and transformative leadership of Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, are not just rebuilding, they are surging ahead with a team that looks equipped to dominate for a generation,” Chappell wrote in his column for The Sydney Morning Herald.

Key to this resurgence is their faith in young talent, epitomised by Harry Brook, who Chappell compared to the great Sachin Tendulkar. At just 25, Brook has emerged as a batting prodigy. His approach—simple yet devastating—echoes Tendulkar’s early years. Brook’s ability to score across the wicket with minimal movement and his knack for thriving under pressure have made him a linchpin of England’s future.

Chappell draws attention to the numbers: in their first 15 Tests, Tendulkar scored 837 runs at an average of just under 40 with two centuries, while Brook has already amassed 1,378 runs at nearly 60 with five hundreds. While acknowledging the age difference—Tendulkar was a teenager during this phase—Chappell emphasised Brook’s ability to combine aggression with consistency, making him a nightmare for bowlers.

“Brook’s ability to combine aggression with consistency makes him a nightmare for bowlers because, much like Tendulkar, he’s incredibly hard to contain. For England, he’s not just a bright prospect, he’s a player around whom their future could be built,” he added.

England’s rise isn’t built solely on Brook’s brilliance. The team’s overhaul under Stokes and McCullum is deliberate and forward-thinking. Chappell outlined how England has identified and nurtured a new generation of players who thrive under pressure.

Joe Root remains the anchor, providing a calming presence amidst the team’s aggressive ethos.

Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett have shown flashes of brilliance at the top, while Ollie Pope has cemented his place as a reliable No. 3.

Jacob Bethell and Jamie Smith are exciting young talents, completing England’s batting lineup.

In the bowling department, England’s pace attack is equally rejuvenated. Chappell highlighted the emergence of Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson, who bring raw pace and adaptability.

Veterans like Mark Wood and Jofra Archer are being carefully managed to unleash their firepower when needed most. This blend of youth and experience has created a dynamic and unpredictable team.

Chappell noted that England’s success lies in their fearless mindset. Players are encouraged to take risks and embrace pressure, leading to a team that thrives in high-stakes situations.

Chappell also painted a grim picture of Australian cricket. While Australia still boasts world-class players like Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, and Mitchell Starc, the next generation has failed to step up. The reliance on an ageing core has left Australia vulnerable.

Chappell singled out Josh Hazlewood’s recurrent injuries and the middle-order’s dependence on Smith and Marnus Labuschagne as major concerns. Beyond this, there’s a glaring lack of youthful exuberance in Australia’s batting lineup.

Chappell also pointed to systemic issues within Australian cricket. The dismantling of the country’s high-performance system, once a global benchmark, has stunted the development of new talent.

“Australia, by contrast, appear to be clinging to an ageing core. While the likes of Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, and Mitchell Starc remain world-class performers, the next generation of Australian cricketers hasn’t quite stepped up. Josh Hazlewood’s recurrent injuries telegraph the vulnerability of our pace attack, while the middle-order batting relies heavily on Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith and Travis Head,” he wrote.

State systems prioritise winning silverware over nurturing young players, leading to a lack of meaningful opportunities for emerging talent.Young players are missing the critical challenges needed to develop into marquee performers.Chappell warned that if these structural flaws are not addressed, Australian cricket risks a decade-long setback.(Agency)