Pre-Ashes Thoughts : Will Bayliss's buoyant England triumph?
by Chris England's cricketing summer overall could be considered an enormous success. Victories over South Africa and the Windies, as well as a Champions Trophy semi-final appearance, would all but suggest that the England side heading halfway across the world are claiming the Ashes before a ball is bowled. Of course, the well known frail, shaky, and inconsistent top order of the last 36 months has all but collapsed despite victories this summer, with Keaton Jennings being the main culprit in the summer of 2017. Well known predecessors include Middlesex's steady Sam Robson, teammate and fellow stalwart Nick Compton, one day specialist Alex Hales, and T20 blast record holder Adam Lyth. All showed limited promise and limited talent at Test match level, and who's to say the same won't happen to the class of '17. Although encouragement was definitely seen against the Windies in the final 9 wicket win, the two newcomers only scored 40-odd each...at no point should one