England great Ian Botham has said that the Ashes series starting at the Gabba on December 8 will be “much tougher” than predicted, adding that he was looking forward to tough and exciting competitions.
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Joe Root-led England will take on Pat Cummins-led Australia in Brisbane in the opening Test and while the hosts are favorites to win the series, Botham said that most of the Ashes series has been well fought and the upcoming one will be no different. .
“Speculators always lose a little bit of plot when we come in, Australia races ahead in prices. I think it would be much stricter than the bookies thought. Most Ashes series. You get the weird thrashing like we did in 1989 and 2007, you get that. But to be honest with you, more often than not, they are good competitors. “They’re tough fights and often thrilling,” Botham told Sean Breakfast on Friday evening.
The hosts, which have faced a lot of controversy after the Tim Paine sexting scandal, would like to retain the Ashes but Botham said Root’s side were looking good for their first Ashes series win since 2015 and their first time on Australian soil since 2011. ,
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“We can finish a few games under the lights, I think the England boys will be very happy with that,” Botham said.
The former cricketer also said that left-arm spinner Jack Leach can play a big role on Australian wickets. The 30-year-old Leach has so far taken 62 wickets in 16 Tests at an average of around 30 and is the top spinner in England’s 17-man Ashes squad.
“Don’t write to Jack Leach, do it at your own risk. He can bowl the lad. Our boys should be fine over here; they’ll enjoy the extra bounce,” Botham said.
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