Sir Ian Botham says England must seem in their Test team to bed in a few young talent as they build to the future and plan for the Ashes in Australia in two years time.
\nEngland attracted the summer’s Ashes series later clinching a triumph at the fourth and fifth Test at The Oval, but Australia retain the urn together with the 2-2 tie.
\nBotham believes the outcome is a reflection about the series, including that his staggering 774 along with Steve Smith runs for the show has proven the difference between both sides.
\n”Things swung from that first Test at Edgbaston,” said Botham. ”Australia were 122-8 and then built those ventures with the tailenders.
\n”Steve Smith was magnificent. And he’s been the standout for the entire series.
\n”I actually said, if he does not fail today, he is not human. He did fail [scoring 23] however he has been quite wonderful.
\n”If you have a look at the two sides, then batting was an issue for both, particularly the very best purchase. Ben Stokes was Steve Smith for Australia and the exception for England.
\n”I believe the speed attack of Australia has been exceptional. They’ve played better cricket than people.
\n”But England are at a fairly good place normally, they just need a bit of fine tuning.
\n”Together with the bowling, we’re in a similar position for Australia, we have got lots of young talent coming but England should check out the batting line-up.
\n”Are they likely to look at younger gamers, which I believe they ought to do? It is two or three years till we are back for the Ashes in Australia – and – you’re going to want to have a negative that’s settled, so now is the time.
\n”In New Zealand, it’s a wonderful chance to experiment, have a look and find out what these young guys can do. Zac Crawley, players like this, who everybody has been discussing.”
\nIn fantastic his mate David Gower stints as broadcasters to get Sky Sports after 25 years of service botham spoke, and he represented on his time behind the microphone.
\n”It has really been interesting,” he added. ”It was the start of Sky and that I said at the moment,’what exactly are we going to do? Where are we likely to go with this?’
\n”They said, we want to bring the sport to the living room of the people at home watching. I believe we have got close to that.
\n”It’s been a great trip. There’s youthful blood out there time to proceed. But it has been wonderful; the parts of the planet we’ve seen, the matches we have seen along with the players that have emerged.”<\/p>\n