Veteran India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin feels that Australia hold a slight edge over England ahead of the second Ashes Test. He said after Australia beat England by two wickets in a thriller on Day 5 of the Edgbaston Test to take a 1-0 lead in the Test series as well. He also said that England will now think twice after their decision to declare on Day 1 backfired and their Bazball will be tested during the Lord’s Test, which starts on June 28 as well.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin said: “Now, England might get a small doubt in their mind, but I don’t think they will change because it’s been only one Test. Next time, when England declare, surely, they will think twice. In Test cricket, whatever you do upfront will come back to bite you or benefit you. It might have put a bit of doubt to England [camp] and belief in Australia’s dressing room. Australia go in the second Test, definitely being the favorites to win this Ashes.”
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Ravichandran Ashwin also praised his Rajasthan Royals (RR) teammate Joe Root for his stunning show with the bat in the Ashes opener. Joe Root scored 118* and 46 in the Edgbaston Test. He also added that England’s Bazball approach was the main reason behind Nathan Lyon’s success as he got eight wickets.
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“Everybody in England played in high tempo. What caught my eye, though, was Joe Root batting in GOD mode. He never looked like getting out. He got out in the name of Bazball going for his shots. In a Bazball contest like this, the role of a spinner becomes very crucial. That’s why a top-quality spinner like Nathan Lyon picked eight wickets. Had England not played Bazball, maybe Lyon could have ended up with 4-5 wickets at a better economy of 2.5. Because of Bazball, he’s picked eight at 4.5. He bowled really well. In Edgbaston, the ball always spins. Spin with bounce. So, Lyon exploited it beautifully and bowled very well,” Ravichandran Ashwin concluded.
