Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke has made a big statement ahead of the start of Ashes 2021-22. With Jofra Archer ruled out for the rest of the year, Clarke has said that the England side cannot win the upcoming Ashes series without him. Archer is set to miss the IPL 2021, T20 World Cup and the Ashes series with him being sidelined due to injury.
Meanwhile talking to Sky Sports, Michael Clarke has said that England will find it tough to win the Ashes without likes of Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer. While Archer has been ruled out, Stokes has taken an indefinite break from international cricket citing mental health issues.
England cannot beat Australia in Australia without Jofra Archer: Michael Clarke
“They can’t win without him. England cannot beat Australia in Australia without Jofra Archer. No Ben Stokes either, they’re cooked. Their batting is not that good. He (Archer) is their fear factor. Without Archer, I think they’re cooked,” Clarke said.
Australia currently holds the urn, after winning the 2017 – 18 series and then drawing 2-2 in England in 2019. Meanwhile, England have lost their last two Ashes series in Australia. They lost 5-0 in the 2-13-14 season followed by a 4-0 loss in 2017-18.
On the other hand the current Australian Test team is also under a lot of pressure. They lost two-test series against India under Tim Paine with the latest loss putting them out of the ICC World Test Championship final race. India won the recent series 3-1 by winning the final Test at The Gabba. The former Aussie skipper said that the Australia bowling unit should perform better than they did against India.
Ashes 2021-22 From December 8-January 18
The first Ashes Test will be played at The Gabba between December 8-12. Adelaide will host the second Test between December 16-20. MCG will host the customary boxing day Test from December 26-30. The SCG will host the second Test between January 5-9, 2021. Perth hosts the fifth and final Test between January 14-18.
