How does 2018 look for England after Ashes disappointment?

For many of England’s cricket fans, the 2017/18 Ashes series never really got going. In truth, most fans stopped believing after Australia’s 10-wicket victory at the Gabba in the 1^st Test. Not since the 1954 Ashes had England come from behind to secure an Ashes victory in Australia. Even when England looked like having a chance of winning the 2^nd Test in Adelaide, few expected the comeback to happen. There were some high points: Alistair Cooks unbeaten 244 in the 4^th Test reminded us all of what he can do on a good day. Although, Australia’s fightback to secure a draw made sure any celebrations were premature.

New Zealand Series Could be a Cracker

So, as England once again finish a series leaving more questions than answers, what can fans expect to see in the year ahead? Well, first of all, plenty more action from Down Under. Starting on the 14^th January, England will spend the last two weeks of the month playing five ODIs against Australia. If you are going to be watching the action, you can bet on cricket with a Bet365 bonus offer available for UK punters now. Early February sees England finishing with Australia, for now, with Matches 2 and 3 of the Tri Series taking place in Hobart and Melbourne on the 7th and 10th.

Things really start getting interesting in the middle of February, when we will see England tackle New Zealand. The stay in New Zealand starts off with more Tri Series Matches, but it is the ODIs that are of real interest. Both sides are evenly matched, placing fourth and fifth in ODI Rankings. Incidentally, these matches will be back on Sky Sports after BT Sport covered the Ashes. England’s team selection is sure to be interesting, with news just breaking that Ben Stokes has been withdrawn from the Australian ODI Squad and replaced by Dawid Malan.

UK cricket fans better get used to keeping their alarm clocks on, because England will remain in New Zealand through February, March and the start of April. The sojourn Down Under finishes off with two Five Day Tests, running from 22nd March – 2nd April. Fans will then have a, perhaps much needed, break of nearly two months before seeing England in action again. That will be against Pakistan in two Five Day Tests, held at Lord’s and Headingley.

India Visit as Brilliant Summer of Test Cricket Beckons 

Australia return to the UK in mid-June for another ODI Series, but the summer months are then dominated by a series of fixtures against India. July will see England host them in a T20 Series, then an ODI Series. August 1^st will see Day 1 of the 1^st Test in Edgbaston, in a series that could be among the sporting highlights of the summer. How will England’s bowlers, so one dimensional in the Ashes, cope with the talents of Virat Kohli and CheteshwarPujara? How will England’s batsmen deal with India’s attack led by Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin?

It’s going to be tough, perhaps even tougher than the Ashes. India are head and shoulders above the rest in test cricket at the moment. Still, if England can use this year as a platform to rebuild, to reinstate a sense of identity in the side once more, then measuring up against India could propel them on to greater things in 2019 and beyond.