Top 5 Bouts anticipated to ignite the Ashes 2015 fire

Top 5 Bouts anticipated to ignite the Ashes 2015 fire: So finally after a gap of 2 years in England, the fight for the Urn in the epic Ashes series is all to entertain the cricket fans all around the globe with high voltage of intensity, blazing competition and even more fortified verbal wars. The first Investec Ashes test will start from 8th July at Cardiff. In 2013/14 Ashes series, which was held in the land of Australia, the home team had whitewashed the English side with a margin of 5-0.

But, it is noteworthy that the Australian side has not defeated English team on the England soil since 2001. Although, the Australians are number 1 ranked test side of the world but in the last decade or so, they have been jeopardized in the seaming English conditions against the potent English seamers. The home team is soaring high after recent success against the New Zealand and will be a tough nut to crack at their own backyard, this summer.

On the eve of the Ashes series, CricTracker makes a list of the Top 5 Bouts anticipated to ignite the Ashes 2015 fire:

1. Steve Smith v/s James Anderson:

These two are not only the names of two players but rather they are the face of their teams in batting and bowling departments respectively. While, Smith has been the most prolific run scorer for Australian team since the last summer. The English pace spearhead Anderson has been their most productive and lethal weapon with red cherry in hand for over decades.

Since 2014, Smith has been in red hot form and has accumulated an unmatched tally of 1,617 runs in 12 tests at an astounding average of nearly 100. While since 2014, Anderson has grabbed 63 test wickets at a respectable average of 23.

Also Read – 2005 Ashes: The rebirth of English Cricket

It would be a classical contest between the two pillars of the side. It would be tempting to witness whether the experience and expertise of Anderson reaps fruits or the belligerent form of Smith outshines the class of Anderson. Whoever will win this face-off, will have determinant and critical impact on the outcome of the series.