Noah Heydon |
While England is now underway in what will be a series of successful tests of five games against India, the former Fondebottom International Ryan thinks that this summer’s challenge could prove to be an even more severe examination than their Ashes opponents later this year.
While the cricket calendar often revolves around the prestige of Australia, Sidebottom considers the rapid supply of supply India as a decisive moment for the ambitions of Redburky Red.
“You would say that India could be slightly stronger than Australia … a little,” he told Cricket bet The Boylesports team when asked if the current test side should have an eye on the 2025/26 ASHES tour from November. “But you have to play what’s in front of you. You can’t look too far, otherwise it will catch up with you very quickly.
“Take every test match, every day as it comes. If you take care of it, then the cricket finally, over time and in Australia, will take care of itself.”
For Sidebottom, the current team of England must treat the India series as its own challenge – not just a warm -up. The timing and the quality of the opposition, he says, make it a greater indicator of the location of England.
“It’s a huge huge series for England. It is a great series for a certain number of players, especially in the programming of the striker.
“There have been a number by talking about Zak Crawley, his inconsistencies. He marks a large 200, 300, but then obtained low scores. Is he a little too attacker?
“I think we have the range of strikers to face any wonderful Bowling attack. The only thing I worry is the Bowling attack from England in Australia.
“They will be very confident to enter the Ashes series. But, once again, a large series of tests, huge for England. How they behave.
Sidebottom considers the India series as the most difficult of both. Although he recognizes the historic weight of ashes, he thinks that the current challenge for quality bowling in India and young dynamic players should not be underestimated.
“With the loss of Jimmy (Anderson) and Stuart Broad in the Bowling attack, is it now, especially if you miss Mark Wood by an injury or a Chris Woake, a young inexperienced attack?
“But you could then say that India has lost many world superstars in terms of their range of strikers. So I think it will be an extremely intriguing series of tests.
“Who will go out in mind?” I think that beats the best. I no doubt think of England is stronger on the floor of the floor at home. But then I look at the Bowling attack from India. They have a wonderful bowlingal attack on England in terms of experience.
“Siraj, Bumrah, they have an experienced versatile attack. Shardul Thakur too, who did very well in a series of tests here the last time but which unfortunately was injured.
“Kl Rahul is a wonderful player. But then you have the inexperience of a marvelously and incredibly talented range of strikers. So how will the two programs compare? I think it will be a wonderful and wonderful series of tests.
“Who is going to go out in mind? I think that for me, India could well buy it with their bowling attack.”
Among those that India has in England, there are names that Sidebottom considers major threats.
“You have (Yashasvi) Jaiswal, who is a wonderful cricket player, who will be finished in the very attacker tests.
“You have (Rishabh) Pant, who returned to the configuration after a long layoff by an injury. India has such a strong range again and it is almost like these superstars in India, are new arrivals in England.
“Can they manage the ball in motion? Can they manage the conditions of England? If they can, I would say that India Pipit in terms of players and talent.”
However, the real challenge believes Sidebottom, lies in the temperament – in particular for England under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.
“When England arrives on top and get started on a role, they are wonderful to look at. They are very entertaining, aren’t they? The only thing I worry about England during this series of tests is the way they play this style of cricket attack.
“The kind of” bazball “that Brendan McCullum does not like to speak. But sometimes you have to play the situation. You have to play the opportunity. And sometimes England, they lose a lot of counters in tufts, right? Because they are so armed and they think that “we are going to attack this situation”.
“You are still playing test cricket. It’s still five days. You can go back time. You can stay in the middle. You can empty everything. Who does the best? I think the one who makes the two teams will certainly win the test series.”
And as for Sidebottom himself? He will closely follow the interior series.
“With what awaits us, for me, I am so excited for this series of tests against India. I love the T20 blast, the IPL, and it grows the game, from the point of view of women and the game for men.
“However, I love the cricket test, it is a test for a reason and I say it all the time; He tests you mentally, physically. Can you focus for five days and be consistent? It’s just huge for England, it’s huge for players. If you play well in this series, the momentum will remain with you by advancing in the ashes.
“I will be there with each test, every day and I will be glued from the stands that look very closely!”
For Ryan Sidebottom, this series is much more than a warm -up – it is a real measure of the references of England. And they will have to be their best.
