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During the World Cup, when Joe Root, Ed Smith or Trevor Bayliss spoke to the media, they would occasionally be asked about the Ashes that followed. They were meeting, plotting plans, they said. Root was taking time out of his schedule to practise against red balls.
But they would be nowhere near as ready as Australia. Taking the Ashes home has been their focus for four years, in stark contrast to England’s desire to win the World Cup. Australian players have been encouraged to learn about playing in England: they have used the Dukes ball in the Sheffield Shield, and county stints have been encouraged. Perhaps Marnus Labuschagne learnt most of all at Glamorgan this year.
Australia’s victory was built around the insatiable run-scoring of Steve Smith, which propped up a batting unit that was no better equipped to deal with English conditions than in 2015, despite friendlier pitches this time round.
Smith has become a once-in-a-lifetime batsman, the best since Don Bradman. But Australia also recognised years ago that they had a once-in-a-lifetime set of bowlers coming through, all of whom are in their prime now.
Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood were a little raw in 2015, while James Pattinson has been beset by injury. Pat Cummins (right), the best of the lot, was too, but is now strong, fit and still youngest. He has 24 wickets in the series and, in 24 Tests, 118 wickets at 21 to top the world rankings. Peter Siddle, who has seen it all across six Ashes series, makes it a battery of quicks to match any.
All Australia had to do was get them all fit at the same time, then rotate.
Perhaps in years to come, this will be considered the victory that changed Ashes touring. Australia thought their county opposition in 2015 was poor, so resolved to prepare on their own terms. During the World Cup, they brought an “A” tour, featuring eight of the eventual Test squad, to face the counties.
When the World Cup finished, they staged an intra-squad trial match to decide their final 17. They left naming their squad as late as possible. It is very likely that England will do the same in Australia in 2021-22.
Justin Langer has been a smart coach, surrounding the team with winners like Steve Waugh, while Tim Paine has been a low-ego captain. Their calm leadership ensured their plan would come together beautifully.