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: Steve Smith vs James Anderson. (© Getty Images) 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. 2.Mitchell Johnson v/s Ben Stokes: Mitchell Johnson v/s Ben Stokes. (© Getty Images) Nothing can get meatier than the epic battle between Johnson and Stokes, which will be a clash of titans. Apart from their cricketing geniuses, both of them are renowned for their fiery verbal battles. In 2013/14 Ashes series, both were the stars of their respective teams and even then they didn’t shy away from banters. The invincibility of Johnson is still blazing in the minds of millions when this man single-handedly tore apart the English team in the last ashes with barrage of match winning performances. While, Stokes proved his mettle with his blistering century at Perth and then when he hammered the fastest ton at the Lord’s cricket ground, recently. Few days ago, Stokes had made his intentions very clear when he told that he is not the one to take the back step while Johnson also seemed determined to takes on Stokes and the English side for possibly the last time on English soil. It will be a mind-boggling contest to observe in what is going to be an edge of seat encounter. 3. Alastair Cook v/s Mitchell Starc: Alastair Cook v/s Mitchell Starc. (© Getty Images) If you ask any cricket expert or pundit, as to who is the best bowler in the world these days? Then, the answer will be Mitchell Starc, which is a no bombshell. This man has been in best form of his life with his bowling consistently clocking the 150 kmph mark and when the ball swings on that pace then at times, he becomes unplayable as well. While, on the other side lies the greatest ever English test batsmen: Alastair Cook who recently crossed the glorious mark of 9,000 test runs. After a prolonged slump in form, he is again back to his best with 577 runs in 5 tests this year, at an outstanding average of 64 with 2 centuries and 4 half-centuries in as many as 10 innings. Every coin has another side to it. If we scrutinize Starc’s performances, then we find out that he is yet to stamp his authority with red cherry in hand as such and much. Similarly, Cook is also the English team skipper, the high pressure of which will surely have an impact on his batting as well. Get ready for a magnificent clash between the gritty left handed batter; Cook and left arm speedster; Starc. Let’s see whether Starc shows stars to Cook in daylight or Cook will made a delicious meal out of Starc. 4. Michael Clarke v/s Anderson and Broad: Michael Clarke v/s Anderson. (© Getty Images) In the last decade or so, the Australian skipper has been the most splendid scorer for his nation. He has shown his special love affair with the English team in Ashes cricket. In 30 test matches against the arch-rivals, he has amassed 2,109 runs at a remarkable average of 44.87 with 7 centuries against his name. While on English soil, he averages 47. But, the world is aware that Clarke has his very own history against the English new ball pair of Anderson and Broad. They have got better of him on 18 occasions with both of them getting him out for 9 times each. Against them, Clarke averages 28.94 while against other English bowlers it’s as high as 56.71 It would be pretty interesting to observe the battle of the experience campaigners and who will play a key part in the success of their teams. So, gear up to see whether Clarke gets a ripper from these two bowlers or his long characteristic vigils add to the plight of the English new ball pair. 5. Joe Root v/s Josh Hazlewood: Joe Root v/s Josh Hazlewood. (© Getty Images) They are perceived as the next generation legends by many. While Root who wears the looks of a baby faced boy, has shown his emergence as the big boy of the game. Similarly, the impeccable and invariable consistent line and length of Hazlewood has drawn him comparisons with the legendary fast bowler- Glenn McGrath. Since 2014, Root has scored 1,318 runs at an average of 82.38 in 12 test matches. While in the same period, Hazlewood has taken 24 wickets at an impressive average of 19.08 with two five-fers to his credit. Root is the cogwheel of English batting line-up and Hazlewood would be trying to fool him with his off-stump line and unfazed consistency. It would be a marathon test of skills and capacities between the bat and ball when two of the most classical test players will fight out with their tricks and trades on display in the biggest rivalry of the game. Let’s see whether the patience of Root gets better of Hazlewood or the probing line and length of the bowler will overshadow Joe Root’s temperament and psychological strength.