‘Get up into that ribcage’: Inside the Ashes master plan to take down England

11 hours ago 3

By Mike Hussey

November 17, 2025 — 5.30am

When I look down the England batting order, I see players who love to feel bat on ball, impose themselves on the contest and keep the scoreboard ticking. I also see compulsive hookers and opportunities for wickets. If the pitches for the Ashes are a bit sporting, and they will be, how will England handle it?

That’s a massive question mark for me. Every batter in the world is vulnerable to good lines and lengths early, so Australia’s plan A will be to keep it simple. But what about when Bazball gains momentum? I’ve broken down the strengths and weaknesses of the England top seven so you don’t have to.

England coach Brendon McCullum invented “Bazball”, and batter Harry Brook is one of its chief proponents.

1. Zak Crawley

In 2023, Crawley hit the first ball of the Ashes for four. That’s why I didn’t mind the Aussies’ more defensive fields. If he looks up and sees a deep point, he thinks, “I can’t get my early boundary there.” Or he might try a little push to get off the mark with a single, and create a chance.

He’ll drive on the up, a low percentage shot in Australian conditions, with the extra pace and bounce. We used to see that in Shield games all the time with the New South Welshmen coming over to the WACA and playing these big, expansive drives. It was catching practice in the slips.

Zak Crawley smashes the first ball of the 2023 Ashes through cover for four.

Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are huge omissions for Australia in Perth. Without them, Scotty Boland becomes the No.1 weapon to Crawley. His natural angle is to come back in, but if he can get one to hold and go away a bit, the slips will be in the game.

2. Ben Duckett

He’s strong square of the wicket, particularly through the off-side, so you don’t want to give him too much width. He cuts well, drives well through cover, and tucks the ball off his hip.

Early on, I’d still be looking to make him drive, or defend on the front foot. He’s not very strong at driving down the ground so you can be a little bit fuller to start with. If that doesn’t work and he gets in, he can close himself off on the leg side, so you should be able to attack the ribs, and have a leg slip or a short leg, but also have protection out in the deep because he does love a hook shot and quite often they go up.

Brendan Doggett could be the guy here. He likes to hit the pitch hard, he’s tall so he gets extra bounce; he’ll get up into that ribcage and make Duckett feel uncomfortable.

3. Ollie Pope

Pope is under pressure to hold his spot but I’d stick with him ahead of Jacob Bethell for now. He’s a busy player who likes to keep the scoreboard ticking, but he’s vulnerable just outside off stump.

He pushes at the ball, and with the extra bounce and pace in Australia, he could be found wanting. With two or three slips and a gully in place, you’re in the game. With an average of 15.7 in 10 Test innings against Australia, he needs a decent score early in the series to hold his place in the team.

Ollie Pope is castled by Mitchell Starc.

4. Joe Root

Joe is the key to England’s whole batting order. If he can bat for long periods, it gives everyone around him the freedom to be aggressive.

We all know Joe hasn’t made a hundred in Australia. Why? He loves to play late, run the ball down to third man, and punch off the back foot, which in England you can get away with. Plan A is to attack his stumps early and challenge his defence, then once he gets in, bring your lengths back a bit and get him feeling for the ball, whether that’s on the front or back foot. It’s the Virat Kohli plan – a fourth or fifth stump but no wider; he’s strong square of the wicket.

The Aussies should dry him up, dot ball after dot ball. The pressure will start to build, and he’ll think, “How can I score?” That’s when he’ll go for those lower percentage shots.

5. Harry Brook

This guy sums up Bazball. He has a phenomenal record and he’ll go hard early, but this is the one country he hasn’t nailed, whether it be in the Big Bash or the T20 World Cup.

He dominates when the pitches are lower, slower and flat.

Mitch Starc is a great option to Brook. He can swing it back in through the gate and get him lbw or bowled, especially if he’s looking to go big early with those drives.

Brook is a compulsive hooker, so if he’s looking dangerous bowl some bouncers at him. He gets away with it in other countries where the grounds are smaller, like England and New Zealand. On bigger grounds, you know he’s still going to take them on. He might get one out of the screws that goes for six, but he just has to mistime one. A few of the English are compulsive hookers; I wouldn’t go for the short stuff straight away, but have it in my back pocket for a wicket-taking option.

6. Ben Stokes

He’s got the job done in some unbelievably tough situations. We all talk about that famous knock at Headingley, but the night before he blocked the living daylights out of it, so he can play two very different styles.

Again, the initial plan will be to attack the stumps, try to swing the ball back in, run one across him and bring the slips into play. Then bring your lengths back a bit; he’ll give you opportunities.

Ben Stokes blasts his way to a brutal, and match-changing 80, on day two of the third Ashes Test at Headingley in 2023.

Nathan Lyon is the key. He’s had success against him here, where Stokes has looked really unsure, especially where there’s a bit of extra turn and bounce. It will be fascinating to see Stokes’ tactics, whether he tries to be more assertive and put pressure on Lyon, or tries to wear him down. It didn’t work for him last time.

7. Jamie Smith (wk)

A talented player in the “Gilly” mould, he’ll try to change the momentum of the game. That’s his strength, but it could also be his downfall. Another compulsive hooker, so the Aussies, potentially through Cam Green, will have a crack at him with two or three fielders back.

I have questions about the management of the bowling attack, too. I still can’t believe England got cute and rested Broad and Anderson for the first Test in the 2021-22 Ashes. What the heck were they thinking? They’ll have a different mentality under Stokes and Brendon McCullum, to take the game on and go for wins. But I’m tipping an Australian 3-1 series victory.

Mike Hussey played 79 Tests for Australia and will commentate for Fox Cricket and Kayo this summer