The Ashes 2017-18: Australia legend Shane Warne believes this winter could be the BEST series since 2005… if England start on the front foot
Despite England's drama surrounding Ben Stokes' exclusion, Warne believes the Aussies have just as many squad issues
AUSTRALIA legend Shane Warne believes this winter's Ashes series could be the BEST since 2005... if England start well.
Warne was a part of the Aussies' squad as they famously slipped to a 2-1 series defeat in England in one of the greatest Test summers of all-time.
The leg-spinning superstar, 48, revealed that England will have a monumental task on their hands in replacing Ben Stokes Down Under, with the fiery all-rounder impossible to supersede.
Warne said: "England’s main concern is they have to pick two players to replace Ben Stokes.
"He’s an horrific loss... they stand to pay a very high price for the all-rounder’s stupidity.
"But I have a feeling they are trying hard to find a way for Ben to play a part sooner rather than later in this Ashes series.
"One thing is certain, Test cricket as a spectacle is poorer for his absence.
"Chris Woakes is a good all-rounder and he will play and the off-spinning all-rounder Moeen Ali’s numbers are just as good as Stokes’.
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"Coming in at No7, he’s a big player for England."
Warne added: "The only real question for England is who bats at No3?
"I think the answer is James Vince... with skipper Joe Root at No4, Vince is suited to Australian conditions.
"He likes pace and plays the short ball well. He could be the big find for England.
"He is quite an aggressive player, he likes to play his shots and he can sometimes try to over-hit his cover drive.
"Australia has the best bowling attack in the world and in home conditions, it will be very hard for the English batsmen if they don’t start well."
England's Ashes Test schedule
Nov 23-27 First Test (Brisbane)
Dec 2-6 Second Test (Adelaide)
Dec 14-18 Third Test (Perth)
Dec 26-30 Fourth Test (Melbourne)
Jan 4-8 Fifth Test (Sydney)
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Spin-king Warne claimed the two key men for England will be the old-guard opening bowlers - James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
Warne added: "One real positive for Root’s team is a lot of them are first-time Ashes tourists so everything is exciting. They are up for a challenge.
"However it is two old hands who could be the key for England.
"Anderson has struggled with the Kookaburra ball and in the Ashes generally.
"But watching him over the English summer I think he’s bowling better than ever.
"At 35, this will be his last Ashes series a player and he will be desperate to right past failures.
"His partner in crime, Broad, has also struggled here but he too has been in super form and, importantly, he’s got his pace back.
"They form a wonderful opening bowling partnership."
Warne claimed he believes Australia should win the series, but if England start well, it could be the greatest series of all-time.
He concluded: "On paper Australia wins the series but it could come down to the main men with the bat — David Warner and Smith and Alastair Cook and Root.
"If England fire in the first two Tests where pitches will favour swing bowling this Ashes contest has the potential to be the best since 2005."
