The Ashes can turn players into legends but England must be fearless

When I was growing up, during formative net sessions, I dreamt about playing in the Ashes. When I did, it was the most exhilarating experience knowing I could test myself against the world’s best. Dominating an Ashes can elevate a player to legendary status and I’m intrigued to see how they all go about it this summer.

I’m so excited to be part of the Ashes summer and IG’s fantastic Net Gains campaign. The two will combine to inspire the next generation and deliver key funding to build new net facilities around the country.

As a youngster, if I wanted to practise on my own, I would go to a net, put some cones out, grab loads of balls and bowl for hours on end. It allows you to hone specific skills and is so crucial to a player’s development.

There is incredible excitement around the bold brand of cricket England’s men are playing under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.

They are scoring at an unprecedented rate of almost five runs per over and are coming into this series on the back of 11 out of 13 Test wins.

Whether England’s batting line-up can impose themselves on Australia’s world-class bowling attack is this summer’s most fascinating question. Their attacking approach has been successful against pretty much every attack they have faced so far, but Australia pose a completely different challenge.

Crowned World Test Champions just a few days ago, Australia are a team full of confidence. There’s nothing like match intensity and they will be glad they held their nerve on the final day against India, as defending on day five has been a vulnerability of theirs in the last few years.

Steve Smith getting runs in that game is ominous. He often gets big runs in the first Test of a series by occupying the crease and giving himself time.

Four years ago, England were faced with the unsolvable riddle of taking his wicket but I am interested to see how this attack goes at him with the new approach flowing through the whole team. They will have to find a way to unsettle him early.

Australia won the opening Test at Edgbaston four years ago but it was difficult for England’s bowlers on a slow pitch. According to reports, this will be a dry, flat surface and a good one for batting.

With the inclusion of Moeen Ali, Stokes has extended that line-up but, more importantly, with the weather forecast and the pitch conditions it may be a masterstroke if it turns later on in the Test.

Five Tests in a little more than six weeks is a tough grind and having the best bowlers fit will be vital for England. They have already lost Jofra Archer and Olly Stone, and Stokes’ knee niggles persist.

Australia’s bowling depth looks better, especially with Nathan Lyon holding up an end and giving the quicks a break, but that’s where England have to take him on.

The biggest threat to England’s chances is if they begin to doubt their process at any stage. Pat Cummins and his team will sense any indecision from a mile away and won’t hesitate to pounce.

England’s women face a similar psychological battle when their Ashes series begins at Trent Bridge next week. They have to believe they can beat this juggernaut of an Australia side. A blend of experience and youth will help.

Experience helps you stay level on good or bad days, while the younger players have no mental scars which means they can play without fear. In 2005, Kevin Pietersen provided that for the men and Katherine Brunt for the women.

I was also part of that younger group that just wanted to get at Australia. They hadn’t seen us play before and we wanted to make an impression. I see a similar mindset in Issy Wong and others.

I hope England’s women have been inspired by the men and play positively. If you go hard at Australia you have to be prepared for them to come back twice as hard, but that’s when you show your true mettle.

The women’s Ashes is won through points acquired across three formats and, with four points up for grabs in next week’s Test, England have to start well. It is great that the men and women are playing at the same time, just as we did in 2005. I remember how it felt that summer to be part of something so special but this is the first time both teams are playing at similar venues.

The opening women’s Test begins on June 22 and tickets are still available on the ECB website, so I’d urge you to go and support the women’s team. I have seen it said so many times about England teams in the past, it is the hope that kills you. But there is good reason to hope, this time, we really will have a summer full of some of England’s most magical moments.

IG and England Cricket have committed to invest in new public net facilities across the country, via the IG Net Gains fund. Find out more at IG.com/investing. Investing puts your capital at risk.

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