Former England captain Michael Atherton has criticized the ongoing Ashes series for being “one-dimensional” due to the absence of spin bowling, as pitches have favored fast bowlers. England did not include a specialist spinner in any of the five matches, with off-spinner Shoaib Bashir not chosen, and Will Jacks, who bowled occasional off-spin, not considered a primary option.
Australia, on the other hand, initially included Nathan Lyon for the first and third Tests but left out the veteran off-spinner from the day-night match in Brisbane, subsequently losing him to a hamstring injury during their series-clinching win in Adelaide. The hosts decided against replacing Lyon with fellow off-spinner Todd Murphy in the Melbourne and Sydney Tests.
“It means the cricket we have seen in this series has been a bit one-dimensional. Looking at the pitch (on day one in Sydney), you wouldn’t say it offered enough for five seamers but that is not to say it is going to turn on the last day either. We will have to wait and see,” Atherton commented on Sky Sports’ Cricket Podcast.
Ex-England captain Nasser Hussain offered a different viewpoint, stating, “I think you have to be careful. The forecast is to be hot and you have to pick a side for the last day as well as the first day. However, I think both captains feel that with the heat the cracks will open up and that’s when you want your seamers.”
