Ashes Down Under - Beginning of the end for England or a minor setback?

It is time again for the ultimate rivalry in cricket although one might find it absurd that this is the second Ashes test series in four months but cricket fans won’t complain as the quality of cricket on offer is pretty high. After getting drubbed 3-0 in England this summer, Australia would be wary of a fourth successive Ashes series loss and is likely to stretch itself to the limit on home turf to make amends for the loss earlier this year. With the 1st test at Brisbane going according to plan with England struggling to reach even 180 in both innings, the Aussies have drawn first blood and would try to make most of it going ahead. Ian Chappell rightly pointed out that Australia won a lot of psychological points in that 1st test and sent across a message to England that they are here to win and be aggressive. A 381 run victory will hold the Aussies In good stead for the rest of the series but I think it would be harsh to write off England as yet, after all this is almost the same team which was ranked no.1 in tests for a year not too long back and has been performing pretty consistently in the last three years apart from a couple of major failures against Pakistan and South Africa. I don’t see a concrete reason as to why they won’t be able to make their way back into the series, especially when they boast of a really good pace attack led by Jimmy Anderson. Tremlett is fit again and bowling well while Broad is looking in good form and they also have Finn on the bench. Between the four of them, they have an attack which can trouble most batting teams around the world, especially on pitches like those in Australia which offer a lot for tall fast bowlers. With Perth and Melbourne being the venues for the last two tests, England bowlers would still have enough belief in themselves to win the series but for that to happen they need to put on a gutsy display at Adelaide by putting aside the horrors of the 1st test match.
Focusing on England’s batting, which was their nemesis at the Gabba, Alistair Cook should make sure that they adjust to the conditions as Australian pitches bounce way more than those in England. Secondly, there is more of seam moment than swing in the air. English Batsmen, especially the likes of Root and Carrberry who do not have a lot exposure at the top level, need to make quick adjustments to their technique. They would also need a replacement for Trott who has been sent back, with Bairstow or stokes likely to take his place in the playing XI. So, it’s imperative for them to carve out the best possible batting order for themselves but other than these I don’t see many reasons why England can’t match Australia in this series or may be even win it from here on. I would consider the 1st test loss as a minor blip than the beginning of the end for England as it is a good all-round side although Australia won’t be making it easy for them. Do expect more words to be spoken in the middle from here on.