Ashes 2015: England will need to be patient, warns Ravi Shastri
Friday 10 July 2015 22:38, UK
Sky Sports pundit Ravi Shastri believes England are firm favourites to win the first Investec Ashes Test, but has warned they will need to be patient.
England were bowled out for 289 in their second innings at the end of the third day in Cardiff, setting Australia a victory target of 412 runs.
If Australia, who were earlier dismissed for 308 in their first innings, do snatch the win they will have completed the highest ever successful run chase in an Ashes Test, but Shastri reckons that is unlikely.
The former India all-rounder told Sky Sports News HQ: “England are firm favourites at this stage, they will be kicking themselves if they allow Australia into their door.
“They have got to be patient, do the same things they did in the first innings, not try and take a wicket with every ball. On a track like this patience is important, and if you are patient you will get wickets.”
Shastri feels Australia opening batsman David Warner could play a crucial role for the tourists on Saturday with his attacking style.
He added: “Australians like to come out hard and score freely and this pitch will deny them that.
“David Warner now becomes a very key player because at the top he is someone who will come and take the attack to the opposition.
“If he tees off and stays for a session and a half, or two sessions, you will have a good Test match, but it’s very difficult.
“England are in the driver’s seat at the moment and it’s up to them now to put that nail into the coffin.”
Shastri also praised England’s effort in bowling out Australia quickly in their first innings in Friday’s opening session, and batsman Ian Bell as he returned to form with a vital knock of 60.
“England couldn’t have asked for anything better,” he said. “I thought the start was brilliant, they squeezed Australia early on, very disciplined and patient in that first hour of play and they got those five wickets pretty quickly.
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“So that pretty much set the tone and then they backed it up with some really good professional cricket.
“When someone gets runs like Bell in the second innings, the 60 could well be worth 80 or a 100.
“He’s a very important player for England because he’s a busy player. He can keep the scoreboard ticking along, he plays spin well and he uses his feet well. An Ian Bell in form augurs well for England.”
Shastri has also been impressed with the way in which England have played the game, adding: “It looks as if this whole England team is having fun and that’s the difference between this England team in this Ashes series as opposed to some of the other England teams of the past.”
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