Last Updated on 4 years by Charbel Coorey

ENG vs AUS Series Review: 7 Talking Points to Discuss | ENG vs AUS Series Review: Talking points from a thrilling white-ball tour

One of the big questions ahead of England’s summer were how the players would cope with the bubble, as well as whether the absence of crowds would negatively impact the cricket. By the end of it, it is safe to say that the players coped well with some fantastic cricket on show.

This applies especially to the England-Australia white-ball series. Each of the six matches (T20Is and ODIs) were closely fought, with a magnificent finale as Australia won the ODI series from a position of distress. As is always the case in battles between two of cricket’s oldest nations, there are talking points to discuss, many of which will have important ramifications heading into the future.

1. Well done to all involved

Well done to England cricket for executing an excellent summer of cricket in these unprecedented times. Well done to the West Indies, Ireland, Pakistan and Australia for helping make it happen, adhering to all the bubble requirements, which can certainly be a challenge. Cricket fans around the globe got their glorious cricketing fix, after a COVID-enforced break spanning four months.

2. What to make of Australia’s middle order and Warner away from home?

When victory looked certain, Australia’s middle order made hard work of it and eventually the game was lost. When victory looked just about gone, Australia’s middle order delivered victory.

It is an interesting and unique situation. At 117/5 in the first ODI, it was Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell who rescued Australia. The brilliant Maxwell was at it again in the third and deciding ODI, combining with Alex Carey for a superb stand, rescuing Australia from the depths of 73/5 chasing 303. However, sandwiched between those efforts was an almighty collapse in the second ODI, to go with losing the unloseable in the first T20I.

So, is the inconsistency a worry? Can Australia afford to go into big tournaments with a middle order that can be so on one day and off the next? With Glenn Maxwell in particular so capable of producing such brilliance, how could Australia leave him out going forward, despite his own inconsistencies? This is an especially important question as David Warner continues to be up and down away from home – another issue Australia would want rectified over the next 12 months. Jofra Archer, who was outstanding all series and arguably bowled the best he ever has, had his measure.

3. Eoin Morgan’s risk vs reward

There is no doubt that Eoin Morgan has been central to England’s white-ball rise since 2015. His excellent captaincy, on show in the T20Is and second ODI, has enabled England to reach the heights of a prolonged #1 ODI ranking and World Cup Trophy. It is Morgan’s desire to back his own decisions that rubs off on his players, who feel enabled to play with freedom.

But, with that freedom can come some risk. In the final ODI, Morgan backed his instinct, choosing to bowl Adil Rashid in the final over instead of Mark Wood. With lower order batsmen often preferring to swing away against spinners, Mitchell Starc enjoyed the move, all but sealing the series for Australia in the first ball of the 50th over with a six over long on.

Given Morgan’s personality and desire to play with freedom, this series loss won’t be too damaging to he and his team. However, it will be interesting to see whether the skipper turns to a spinner again in such crucial situations in future matches, such as those in the subcontinent, where the 2023 World Cup will be held (India).

Also read: “Not many bowlers can stop Maxwell on his day” – Aaron Finch

4. Both teams need to improve on slower pitches

The absence of crowds was a significant contrast to the rocking atmospheres of past England-Australia battles. However, the cricket on show was as gripping as the surfaces were, with so many ebbs and flows that you could have mistaken the proceedings for a classic Test match.

In all three ODIs, the team who eventually won was in a losing position, fighting to stay alive in the contest, let alone seeking to win. This signified the fighting qualities of both sides, with Australia never known to give up and Chris Woakes commenting on how England are finding new ways to win.

However, what this series also showed is that both teams would be seeking improvement on slow pitches. England captain Eoin Morgan spoke on the eve of the series about improving on these pitches, and mentioned it again post game. Australia are in a similar boat. With both sides often losing clumps of wickets throughout the series, often struggling to find full rhythm on slower tracks, it is an area for improvement over the coming years if these two sides want to be there fighting for the World Cup in India in 2023. Effective strike rotation, rather than constant big hitting, could very well be the need of the hour in big matches in conditions similar to those in Manchester, along with better fielding, particularly by England.

5. Adam Zampa is crucial to Australia’s plans going forward

Adam Zampa’s loss of form in the 2019 World Cup hurt Australia badly. Nathan Lyon did a commendable job, but Zampa in the 50-over format provides Aaron Finch with many dimensions via his control and variations in equal measure.

In 2020, Zampa has taken 20 wickets in 10 ODIs at an average of 24.00. He has played good sides in the format as well (India, South Africa, New Zealand and England), and has come up trumps. In this series, he took 10 wickets in three games – the most of any bowler – and further confirmed his importance for Australia moving forward. If Zampa maintains his prolific performances over the coming years, Australia will benefit greatly.

6. Who does Ben Stokes come back in for in the ODI side?

Jason Roy and Joe Root endured poor series. However, their career records remain outstanding, and it would be unfair for England to discard them after a bit of a lean run of form. So, that leaves Sam Billings as the player who will most likely make way when Ben Stokes eventually returns to the England lineup.

This would certainly be harsh on Billings, who has taken his opportunity this summer with open arms. He often plays sporadically for England such is their excellent depth, but in an extended run in the side this summer, he impressed with 315 runs in six ODIs against Ireland and Australia at an average of 78.75 (SR 95.74). He was particularly superb in run-chases, and England will be feeling confident in the fact that they have a player of his quality in their setup.

7. Dawid Malan: Permanent feature in England’s T20I team moving forward?

Dawid Malan is now the world’s premier T20I batsman, according to the rankings. It has been quite the rise for Malan, who now surely can’t be left out of England’s T20I team moving forward. This isn’t the best news for Joe Root, but 682 runs in 17 T20Is (avg. 48.71, SR 146.66) suggests that Malan deserves an extended run in the team.

So, there are seven key talking points from Australia’s white-ball tour of England. Attention now moves onto the IPL, where a number of players from both sides will be seeking success with their respective franchises.

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