Looking back at the 2019 Ashes series

Summer 2019. The sun is shining in Britain with the public blissfully unaware of coronavirus yet. Normality was in full swing and the Ashes were back in England after the last series was held Down Under. England were desperate for a trophy, but the tourists made it very clear they wouldn’t give up the urn easily, and possessed a much stronger side on paper. However, in Test cricket, anything can happen, and an exciting encounter was on the cards.

Unfortunately for the English, led by captain Joe Root, a slow start meant they had to settle for a draw. While they were serious underdogs initially to those betting on cricket, they gave a good account of themselves and levelled the series in the final test, resulting in first draw since 1972. Read on, as we discuss some of the main talking points of 2019 in preparation for December’s trip down under.

Aussies lucky to keep the urn

You get the feeling that, if England had started the brighter in August over at Edgbaston, then they could have built a surge of momentum great enough to carry them to victory. Instead, the Aussies asserted their dominance on the test early, and for the first time in 14 years, they took the lead on English shores after the opening day.

Another win in Derby after two draws put them in a strong position, especially considering they had suffered a defeat by just one wicket at Headingly. Mitchell Starc, who was back in the squad after missing the third test with a concussion, particularly stood out as the Aussies claimed victory which forced a victory by 54 runs

Jofra Archer masterclass

The third highest wicket-taker throughout the tournament, Jofra Archer put in a series of great performances worthy of winning any trophy, and it was frustrating to see the Sussex man receive so little help from his colleagues. Archer had enjoyed a great summer, with a spectacular 6-45 the icing on the cake individually in a six-wicket-haul that is a delight to watch.

For someone with that little experience to come along and light up the tournament, especially at a time where his team were underperforming, is testament to how good of a player Archer already was, and it is a shame that we won’t be able to see him this year after suffering another injury setback.

Joe Root: Captain fantastic

One of the brightest sparks to come from the final test at the Oval. England can be proud of their performance, with Root leading by example as he did again this summer, almost carrying his side singlehandedly at times, with Ben Stokes supplying occasional ammunition.

Back in the summer though, he called on his side to stand up and be counted, and they duly delivered, with the England skipper heaping on the praise post-match as his side clawed things back and won by 135 runs: “I thought we were brilliant.

“To bounce back from a very difficult and emotional week, to come and play in the manner we have, the team has character in abundance.” He said: “This was more of a template of how to play moving forward. It is a step in the right direction. I am very proud of everyone’s effort throughout the summer.”