Steven Finn explains why England need to lose their obsession with the Ashes to improve their chances of success in Australia next winter.
This England team have the opportunity for immortality, but for Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum and co to put their minds in Perth in a year's time would be a mistake. They would be best served not thinking about that series until the squad is picked and they get on the plane.
But there are a lot of important Test matches for England to play before then, as well as McCullum taking charge of the white-ball team in January. There is simply too much water to pass under the bridge to even guess at who may be bowling quick for England in Australia.I was fortunate enough to play in England's last series win in Australia, a 3-1 triumph in 2010-11. It is also the last time England won a Test down under.
Xavier Doherty and Michael Beer bowled spin and were barely seen again, while Steve Smith batted at number six when he came into the side for the third Test. There were significant levels of outside noise that affected the Australians and we took advantage. In 2013-14, when pretty much the same team fell apart in spectacular fashion, we were outplayed by a more settled Australian team.Stuart Broad, at 6ft 6in, was a guaranteed pick, but Boyd Rankin, Chris Tremlett and I, a 6ft 8in trio, were chosen ahead of other bowlers. We were all ineffective. That fixation with height contributed to our downfall.It lasted seven days before I was sent home with a torn knee cartilage. We were ravaged 4-0 and no-one was surprised.
When Stokes and McCullum took over the leadership of this team in 2022, they righted the wrongs of the previous administration. They immediately stated they would pick the best team for the game in front of them.
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