'Breaking point': English take swipe at 'nervous' Aussies in Ashes row
The English have started to take aim at Australia ahead of the Ashes after both parties agreed to go ahead with the $200m series.
Despite months of speculation, the Ashes is set to go ahead this summer with England's players reportedly agreeing to tour in a move that will green-light the $200 million series.
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England's cricketers spoke with Cricket Australia (CA) bosses again on Tuesday evening, to thrash out their concerns over strict Covid-19 protocols.
Players have been given until the end of this week to make a decision by England authorities, with the team only set to tour if an adequate number of front-liner players agree to travel.
Following the huge step-forward, the English media have already started to try and pick at the seams of Australia's outfit.
Coach Justin Langer has made headline in recent months after reports his hard-managing style was causing issues within the team.
Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley was forced to publicly back Langer's position as coach.
Tim Paine has also caused the ire of the English, following his dig at the touring party after Joe Root didn't confirm his attendance in this year's Ashes a couple of weeks ago.
This prompted The Daily Telegraph UK's Nick Hoult to take a swipe at the 'nervous' Australians.
“When Paine tries the hard Aussie schtick it just does not convince. He has never made a Test hundred and his hold on the job will be weakened if England start well," he wrote.
“The relationship between head coach Justin Langer and his players is also at breaking point, with reports swirling in August of senior players fed up with Langer’s abrasive style.
"It is not going to take much to gnaw away at this fractured relationship. A good start to the Ashes will pile the pressure on their notoriously volatile coach.”
England warned over brutal Ashes Tour
While England are expected to tour with the strongest possible XI, the absentees could make the Ashes series a long slog.
Ben Stokes has undergone a second operation on his broken index finger but is unlikely to be named in England's squad for the Ashes, the Daily Mirror has reported.
The 30-year-old allrounder, who has been on an indefinite break since withdrawing from the home Test series against India this year to focus on his mental health, sustained the finger injury playing in the Indian Premier League in April.
England will also be missing key strike bowler Jofra Archer.
And the potential absence of wicketkeeper Jos Butler sparked, due to family reasons, prompted The Daily Telegraph's Scyld Berry to warn the Tour may not be as easy as one might seem.
“The prospect of England winning the next Ashes is another matter, and secondary to the integrity of the contest. To win Down Under, England have customarily had a batsman who has scored three centuries in the series, and a fast bowler who has taken at least 20 wickets," he wrote.
The first Ashes Test match is expected to start on December 8.
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