Five-match series and a squad of fresh faces give the under-fire Trevor Bayliss the chance to demonstrate his coaching credentials
The tour that seemingly never ends has reached the halfway stage. The travel time from England to Australia has been cut considerably from the two months spent on the seas during the 19th century but that has seemingly lent itself to a more relentless schedule. Sunday’s opener at the MCG begins England’s limited-overs bonanza of two five-match ODI series against Australia and New Zealand which sandwich a Twenty20 tri-series between the sides. All in the space of two months.
Yet this period brings a palpable sense of relief. Even here, where they will watch Australia win at anything, there is a degree of apathy at the manner in which the Ashes were regained. Every local “four-nil” gloat is accompanied by dismay at the absence of a contest. That looks set to be rectified here.
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